Managing director and CEO of Caltex, Des King, today addressed the Academy of Technology Sciences and Engineering, urging them to support AustraliaÕs alternative transport fuels policy as part of an integrated policy framework.

King wants to see an alternative transport fuel policy that is not independent of, but integrated with, other major policy initiatives. These include the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme and Renewable Energy Target, Energy White Paper, Henry Tax Review, Car Industry Plan and the Green Car Scheme, Auslink and Infrastructure Australia Fund.

For example, King points out, “The proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme will have limited impact on transport fuel emissions and should not be used as a basis for shaping alternative transport policies. Most of the emission reduction will come from changes to vehicle technology and fuel supply and from non-price measures such as improved public transport, transport infrastructure and design.”

King also took the opportunity to express his feelings about a possible emission trading scheme. He believes that imposing a large carbon cost on Australian refineries while international competitors bear no cost at all, will not only put Australia at a disadvantage but will simply force Australian refineries to relocate to Singapore and other Asian counties.

King feels it is down to evolving technology, not the Government, to create solutions to climate change. “Governments will not solve climate change and energy problems for us but markets will, based on scientific and technological innovation. The role of government policy is to let markets operate and only intervene where there are clear market failures and governments are able to improve outcomes.”