Dr WOODRUFF question to MINISTER for ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE, Mr BARNETT
Thank you, honourable Speaker. Minister, the independent review of your Climate Change Act response identified the lack of any statewide planning and recommended that you develop one, especially regarding engagement with local government. As it is, you’re leaving local councils, local communities, volunteer firefighter brigades and SES members hanging in the breeze this summer. It is an appalling situation that you don’t recognise the threat that they’re facing with the biggest ever El Niño event coming towards Tasmania. Will you immediately develop the adaptation response that’s recommended and work with local councils and local volunteers?
ANSWER
I indicate, certainly as a minister and on behalf of the government, I look forward to working with all the key stakeholders and, through you Speaker, that includes local government, the Local Government Association. As I say, I’ve recently met with the Climate Reference Group and it was a very constructive meeting. We had some really good interaction. These are people representing their communities, their stakeholders, some experts from the University of Tasmania and a whole range of groups and I appreciate that. I’m learning more and I look forward to working with them and my department, and adaption, as you refer to it in your question, is a key part of the government’s plans going forward.
We have a very comprehensive response to the independent review of the Climate Change Act and I’m pleased with that response. I think it makes it clear that there was a strong and comprehensive foundation in terms of the government. One thing I’m very keen to do for and on behalf of the government, and I hope on behalf of the community as well, is to be positive about Tasmania and positive about our environmental credentials, whether it’s zero net emissions since 2014 or whether it’s being 100 per cent fully self-sufficient in renewable energy, heading to 200 per cent. I think it should be incumbent on all of us in this place to say thank you to our Hydro workers for 100 years of effort because they’ve got us to where we are today, and we’ve got big plans for the future. With respect to waste, I’m very pleased at the incredible difference since May last year in terms of litter, glass and cans being removed from our community, about 50 per cent. That is absolutely an incredible success.
Mr Bayley – Is that climate action? Does that help us deal with climate change?
Mr BARNETT – That’s improving our environment. Slightly different to climate change, yes, but it’s improving our environment.
Members interjecting.
The SPEAKER – Order.
Mr BARNETT – I know would be interested in those views. You made reference to the forecast El Niño, and in terms of comparing that with Tasmania’s Climate Change Action Plan, that’s a cyclic global climate driver and it’s not fair to say it’s a scorecard on any particular state government, in this case Tasmania. I look forward to working with the Police, Fire and Emergency Management minister and the team across Tasmania to make a difference to protect Tasmanians and make them safer over the summer.
