NEWS RELEASE: "Cut oil use, not prices", G20 told
The G20 group of finance ministers and central bankers meeting in 
Melbourne this week has been told to focus on cutting oil use rather 
than boosting production of the non-renewable fossil fuel.

"About 40% of global greenhouse emissions are from oil consumption," 
said Victoria's Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) President 
Daniel Bowen. "It would be grossly irresponsible to increase this 
pollution. The G20 members should instead improve public transport so 
that more motorists can leave their cars at home."

"The only long-term solution to high petrol prices is to reduce oil 
dependency," said Margaret Dingle of People for Public Transport 
(SA). Ms Dingle also noted that Government policy encouraged car use 
at the expense of public transport. "The SA Government is seeking 
federal assistance to build a $550 million expressway, while, 
exclusive of minor tram extensions it has committed only $10 million 
over four years to increase public transport capacity. Even if the SA 
Government were to seek Federal assistance to increase public 
transport capacity, it would not receive it under current policy."

Dr David Worth of the Sustainable Transport Coalition (WA) noted that 
two recent Senate Inquiries have heard dramatic evidence about 
Australia's sharp drop in oil self-sufficiency. "Oil imports are now 
the second largest factor in our current account deficit. As world 
oil producers struggle to maintain enough production to meet growing 
demand in the US and China, Australia may find it more and more 
difficult to obtain liquid fuels to supply our essential transport 
services, especially in rural and remote areas," warned Dr Worth.

According to the Sydney-based group, Action for Public Transport 
(APTNSW), a change in planning goals is also required. APTNSW spokesman 
Allan Miles said "Providing better public transport is only part of 
the cure. We need to plan and build cities with minimum distances 
between home and work, school and leisure destinations."

Matthew Gray, Sustainable Transport Project Officer with the 
Queensland Conservation Council (QCC), noted the fast pace of urban 
development and motor vehicle use in South-East Queensland. "By 2016 
a predicted 40% increase in vehicle traffic will lead to a 400% 
increase in congestion. Cheaper petrol will make this problem even 
worse. By all measures, the most effective way to address this 
looming crisis is to increase the share of more environmentally 
friendly--and less oil-price-dependant--modes of travel," said Mr Gray.

"The poorest people in high income and low income G20 countries 
alike are hurt most by oil dependence and climate change. Alternative 
fuels could displace food production and consume precious water 
supplies. Sensible urban planning, good public transport and 
efficient rail freight networks are the best ways forward," concluded 
Mr Bowen.

<b>Contacts:</b>
<table>
<tr><td>Daniel Bowen,<td>Public Transport Users Association (Vic)<td>0419-353-446 
<tr><td>Allan Miles,<td>Action for Public Transport (NSW)<td>(02) 9516-1906 
<tr><td>Margaret Dingle,<td>People for Public Transport (SA)<td>0407-185-611 
<tr><td>David Worth,<td>Sustainable Transport Coalition (WA)<td>0414-509-043 
<tr><td>Matthew Gray,<td>Queensland Conservation Council<td>0427-312-382
</table>

<b>More info:</b>
<table>
<tr><td>Public Transport Users Association (Vic)
<a href=http://www.ptua.org.au/>http://www.ptua.org.au/</a>
<tr><td>Action for Public Transport (NSW)
<a href=http://www.aptnsw.org.au/>http://www.aptnsw.org.au/</a>
<tr><td>People for Public Transport (SA)
<a href=http://www.ppt.asn.au/>http://www.ppt.asn.au/</a>
<tr><td>Sustainable Transport Coalition (WA)
<a href=http://www.stcwa.org.au/>http://www.stcwa.org.au/</a>
<tr><td>Queensland Conservation Council
<a href=http://www.qccqld.org.au/>http://www.qccqld.org.au/</a>
<tr><td>
<tr><td>Global carbon data
<a href=http://cdiac.esd.ornl.gov/trends/emis/em_cont.htm>http://cdiac.esd.ornl.gov/trends/emis/em_cont.htm</a>
</table>