Page 811 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 2 May 2007
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the Kyoto signatories to successfully address climate change issues. I did not hear Ms Porter talk about that. But I would advise her strongly to look at the performance of a number of the European signatories and she will know that it has been more talk than action.
It is easy to talk but it is much harder to do something tangible that has an effect. I have previewed that the “no regrets” approach which will form part of the ACT Liberal Party’s environment policy will promote action and enable people to make changes that, without impacting massively—adversely—on their lives, will help to address climate change issues. I see from the latest ministerial reshuffle that the Chief Minister has now taken full charge of the environment. The responsibility is now his and his alone to ensure that his government finally addresses climate change within the ACT.
The intention of Ms Porter’s motion that I agree with is that a cooperative approach is needed. I have no issue there. The need for a cooperative approach is particularly evident in the ACT and certainly our track record in terms of our commonwealth dealings leaves a deal to be desired. Our efforts will have an impact only if they are part of a nationwide effort and, similarly, Australia’s efforts will have an impact only if they are part of a cooperative approach on the international stage.
The ACT Liberal Party believes that the Australian government should work cooperatively with the states and territories to develop strategies to deal with the problems presented by climate change. Indeed, I think it should be noted that the Australian government are working cooperatively, not just within Australia but also on the international stage, to address climate change issues. Their approach is to be commended.
An example of the cooperative approach adopted by the Australian government is the recently announced global initiative on forests and climate and I would encourage Ms Porter to take a look at that. The Australian government announced in March that it has committed $200 million to kick-start a world-leading initiative to significantly reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. This particular allocation of funds will help to support new forest plantings, limit the destruction of the world’s remaining forests and promote sustainable forest management. This project will be developed in cooperation with regional countries and relevant international organisations.
The project will have a practical, measurable outcome: if the world could halve the rate of global deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions would be reduced by three billion tonnes a year. This is an example of Australia, because of its strong economy, being able to take the lead internationally and launch projects that will have a significant impact on the environment.
As I have said before, you would have to be living in the Dark Ages if you were not willing to recognise that there are currently significant climate issues. Clearly, action is needed to address the issues that may be contributing to climate changes. The Australian government’s approach is something that can be mirrored at a local level. It is interesting, and further evidence of the success of this approach, that the federal Minister for the Environment and Water Resources today released new figures, the
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