Ms O’CONNOR question to MINISTER for ENERGY and RENEWABLES, Mr DUIGAN
The greenhouse gas emissions report shows our state gross carbon emissions have continued business as usual for the past three decades. Your government still has no targets or even plans for reducing emissions across sectors in this state. We are in a climate crisis. The evidence is irrefutable, and we need a government that takes this seriously to avoid the worst effects of global heating on our island.
While lutruwita/Tasmania has net zero emissions, this is clearly attributable to the reduction of logging of native forests that was secured under the Tasmanian Forest Agreement. But there is a big question about whether our net zero status can continue with the move to log and burn 39,000 hectares of high-conservation-value carbon-store forests that were originally set aside for their high conservation values under the TFA.
Your government’s recent move of the forestry industry to sit alongside climate change and the Renewables, Climate and Future Industries Tasmania creates a clear conflict within that agency. How do you expect ReCFIT to seriously address climate change and reduce emissions while at the same time it is working to log and burn carbon-rich forests?
ANSWER
Mr President, I thank the member for the question and would reference the latest greenhouse gas emissions report, which has been released and, importantly, Tasmania has remained at a net negative level of emissions for the ninth year in a row. That is something to be very proud of. Based on the latest data, we were the first jurisdiction in Australia to achieve net-zero emissions for the first time – in 2014; subsequently we have maintained this.
Tasmania’s total emissions decreased by 0.68 megatons of carbon dioxide equivalent from 2021 to 2022, according to the most recent data, despite our population growth, our growing economy and gross state product having increased over the same period. The most recent data shows that Tasmanians emissions were minus 4.34 megatons of carbon dioxide equivalent, meaning that our emissions reduced by 122.2 per cent since 1990 and the reduction is because we are taking more carbon dioxide out of the air than we emit, offsetting all our greenhouse gas emissions.
The accomplishment reflects our long-standing investment in renewable energy generation and the carbon sink in our managed state forests. The latest report also shows that we are are ahead of our legislated target of net zero emissions or lower from 2030. It should not be forgotten that is an ambitious target and work will need to continue in order to meet that target and my role as minister for Climate Change.
Ms O’CONNOR – Point of order, Mr President. Well, you do not finish the question. It is a point of order.
Mr Duigan – Is that right?
Ms O’CONNOR – You just need to sit down.
Mr DUIGAN – Thank you.
Ms O’CONNOR – Point of order, Mr President. The minister has made a habit of answering every question, no matter what is in the question, with a read-out brief from his QTB folder. I understand the minister can answer a question any way he likes, but that was a specific question about the role of ReCFIT taking on native forest logging while it is trying to bring down our emissions. Could you ask him to address the question perhaps?
Mr PRESIDENT – No, I cannot ask him to address the question. I cannot make the minister answer in any way. In fact, if the minister chooses not to answer, that is the minister’s right. I cannot direct the minister. I cannot make a ruling on what is correct in an answer. I can only call the minister to do that. That is according to our Standing Orders. The practice in this place has been that if you do not get an answer, you put a question on notice and keep trying as much as you can.
Ms Forrest – Until you lose the will to live.
Mr PRESIDENT – Well, preferably before that time. The minister needs to finish his answer.
Ms O’Connor – Is he going to?
Mr DUIGAN – Of course he is.
Ms O’Connor – Well, you fled from the lectern very quickly.
Mr DUIGAN – My understanding is that the minister needs to sit down when the member is on her feet.
Ms Forrest – You will be promoting a quarrel soon.
Mr PRESIDENT – Yes, Standing Order 99(8).
Mr DUIGAN – Thank you, Mr President, for your very full and round knowledge of our Standing Orders.
As regards ReCFIT, as the Minister for Energy and Renewables, which sits within that aspect of ReCFIT, my attention and energies will be directed to Tasmania’s climate change response. Forestry sits within the remit of another minister. I invite you to put your question to that relevant minister.
