A Greens’ motion calling on the Liberal Government to cut climate pollution and invest in disaster preparation, prioritising evacuation plans for high-risk areas, has passed the Legislative Council. The motion noted the findings of a report by nation-leading climate researchers, warning conditions which led to the deadly firestorm in Los Angeles last year could happen here.
In the middle of winter 2025, Los Angeles was engulfed by a firestorm that killed 31 people and destroyed more than 16,000 structures. Climate Council and Emergency Leaders for Climate Action released a report this year, seeking to answer the question “could something like this happen here?”
According to the report, Tasmania shares many of the same characteristics that led to the destructive fires in Los Angeles. The burning of fossil fuels is making dangerous fire conditions more likely, increasing drought, extreme winds, bushland adjacent to homes, steep slopes and fire-generated thunderstorms.
Nipaluna/Hobart is one of the Australia’s most fire-exposed capitals, with its steep terrain, strong winds and forested surrounds. The vast majority of homes were constructed before bushfire standards were introduced and a growing number of people live closer to flammable bush and grassland.
The Liberals haven’t done enough to cut continuing emissions or prepare Tasmanian communities for climate-fuelled disasters. With the Tasmanian people increasingly experiencing the realities of a changing climate, they must act with a sense of urgency and responsibility.
It’s why the Greens put up a motion, calling on the Liberal Government to cut climate pollution and invest in disaster preparation, prioritising an evacuation plan for Greater Hobart.
I thank my Legislative Council colleagues – Liberals, Labor and independent – for supporting the motion, and Labor for their amendments to extend the call for the Liberals to develop evacuation plans for other high-risk suburbs across Tasmania.
It’s encouraging that, on community safety, the whole Council agreed Tasmanian Fire Service, SES and other emergency responders need to be properly funded and supported to help keep our communities safe in the future. I look forward to continuing to work with MLCs towards a safe climate future.
