Christine Milne, leader of the Australian Green party and Senator for Tasmania, weighed in on Australia’s Renewable Energy Target (RET), which has been stalled in Parliament due to the inability of major parties to reach a compromise on the target. She stated that the Greens would be prepared to compromise with the Coalition government and allow the Coalition’s proposed “Direct Action” climate plan to pass in exchange for assurance that the RET will not be rolled back. However, Milne noted that the Greens would intend to strengthen the Direct Action climate plan, which they have been deeply critical of, before providing the votes necessary for it to pass. Milne stated in her speech at Australia’s National Press Club that, “Consistent with our view that all tools in the toolbox must be used to genuinely reduce emissions, the Greens are prepared to negotiate with the government to knock Direct Action into shape, but only if it is not separated from the RET.” The Direct Action plan is the Coalition’s proposed path for achieving a 5% reduction in Australia’s carbon emissions by 2020 based on 2000 levels; however, independent studies have called into question the feasibility of meeting that target under the plan, and no official analysis has been done. For the full story, see http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/sep/18/christine-milne-offers-to-pass-direct-action-if-renewable-energy-target-stays