A citizens’ assembly on climate change could make a positive contribution to future policy development, but the present proposal simply delays action, according to internationally recognised climate policy expert, Dr Peter Christoff.

"The proposed citizens' assembly on climate change, which is potentially an important contributor to future climate policy, is an excuse for deferring a decision about creating an Australian carbon market’" Dr Christoff says.

"Public opinion before, during and after the last election conclusively supported strong action to combat climate change, including by putting a price on carbon via a well-designed emissions trading scheme,"

Dr Peter Christoff
Department of Resource Management and Geography
The Melbourne Graduate School of Land and Environment