Ms O’CONNOR – Treasurer, are you aware of Australia’s National Climate Risk Assessment and Tasmania’s Risk Assessment for Climate Change, two reports that have been released in the last 12 months that make it really clear the government needs to invest in mitigation across all sectors of society and their economy?
Mr ABETZ – I am aware of the reports. As to having read each word of them, no, I haven’t. But aware of their thesis and, yes, I’m aware of that and as I understand it’s been fed out to the various departments.
Ms O’CONNOR – I’ll just draw your attention first of all to page 51 in the National Climate Risk Assessment, which is clear that Tasmania is the most risk exposed state in the country to the impacts of climate change and ask if you know why the state government made a decision not to implement a single recommendation from the state’s climate risk assessment given the risk?
Mr ABETZ – Ask the climate change segment –
Ms O’CONNOR – No, you’re the Treasurer, you hold the purse strings. If we’re going to deal with this, you will be central to it.
Mr ABETZ – I then become responsible for every single activity in government ‑ sure as Treasurer.
CHAIR – Treasurer does have a finger in every pie.
Mr ABETZ – Exactly, but I don’t have the full hand in every pie and that is where those who do have the full hand in every pie should be asked those questions.
Ms O’CONNOR – I referred you to an identified extreme risk to Tasmanian communities, to the economy and to our environment with scientists telling us there’s an extreme risk to the people of Tasmania within the next 25 or 30 years. Having a look at this Budget that you’ve presented, there’s no indication that you understand that.
Ms FORREST – That is a comment.
