New Tasmanian Climate Body has Work Cut Out for It

The launch of Climate Tasmania is a very welcome development in the face of irresponsible, denialist Liberal governments at the state and federal level, Greens’ climate change spokesperson, Cassy O’Connor MP, said today.

“Strong policy advocacy and community engagement is central to Tasmania’s capacity to adapt to global warming and make the necessary transition to a prosperous, low carbon economy,” Ms O’Connor said.

“Very shortly after taking office, the new Hodgman Government abandoned the Ministerial portfolio of climate change, axed the independent, statutory Climate Action Council and scrubbed from its website the nation-leading Climate Smart 2020 Strategy delivered last year after sustained community engagement and evidence-based policy development.”

“The new government has since failed to articulate any policy on climate mitigation or adaptation. In this, they are doing current and future generations of Tasmanians a grave disservice.”

“The new Climate Tasmania body retains a huge amount of the expertise that was on the former Tasmanian Climate Action Council, and I hope the Hodgman government listens to their informed advice as it – hopefully – develops a climate action policy of some sort.”

“So far, sadly, we haven’t heard a peep from the Premier or his Environment Minister on how the new government will continue the progress made by previous governments since 2008, when the Climate Change (State Action) Act was passed by Parliament, committing the state to a 60% emissions reduction on 1990 levels by 2050.”

“In fact, like its counterpart in Canberra, the new government seems to determined to take us backwards fast.”

“In a depressing development in Government Business Enterprise hearings today, Energy Minister, Matthew Groom, refused to commit the state to the existing Renewable Energy Target which is of enormous economic benefit to Tasmania, a renewable energy powerhouse nationally.”

“I wish the new Climate Tasmania body all the very best in their important work. They certainly have it cut out for them in the current political environment,” Ms O’Connor said.
Cassy O’Connor MP | Greens Climate Change spokesperson