Mr Henry believes that Budget ’08-09 provides the Australian Government with an unparalleled opportunity to take big strides in tackling climate change and creating a sustainable and prosperous Australia. 

The Rudd Government has inherited a range of tax concessions and other payments that drain funds from the annual Budget while promoting fossil fuel use and rewarding environmentally destructive behaviour. 

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Treasurer Wayne Swan can guarantee major savings for the nation by phasing out existing tax breaks and spending concessions that promote greenhouse pollution.  These savings can be re-invested in energy and water efficiency initiatives, environmental protection and appropriate economic development. 

Don Henry, one of Australia’s most respected environmental leaders, says the Government can lay the foundation now for a fiscally responsible national reform agenda and a genuinely sustainable Australia.

About Don Henry

On Budget night 2008, Don Henry will have been Executive Director of Australia’s leading national environment organisation, the Australian Conservation Foundation, for exactly ten years. 

Before joining ACF in 1998, Don was based in Washington DC, serving with the World Wildlife Fund as director of its Global Forest program and director of WWF’s Asia-Pacific and South Pacific programs. In Australia, Don has worked as the director of WWF-Australia and the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland. 

His honorary positions have included president of the Australian Committee for the International Conservation Union (IUCN). He holds a Global 500 Environment Award from the United Nations Environment Program for his services to conservation.

This will be his first address to the National Press Club.