Page 1860 - Week 05 - Thursday, 16 May 2019

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Some might question why a small jurisdiction with a relatively small carbon output should need to act so significantly. The environment knows no borders. What happens here can have an impact over there. We all need to take responsibility for our contribution and, given the size of the task, every contribution, no matter how big or small, is going to matter. The ACT has not rested on its laurels, committing to 100 per cent renewable electricity and being net carbon neutral by 2045. But there is still more we can do. In fact, there is more that we need to do. We need to phase out natural gas as a source of energy; we need to transition our transport fleet away from petrol; and we need to call out harmful action undertaken at all levels of government.

Governments need to be focused on investing in renewables, to drive down pollution levels and the cost of electricity. Renewables are the future and a just transition needs to be implemented so that we are not reliant on new coalmines. This weekend I hope that Australians vote for a better future and elect a Shorten Labor government. We know that changing the current federal government is the only way we can get our climate action back on track, and it is only Labor that can deliver real action in government.

Humans do not live separate to the ecosystem; we live as a part of it, and our behaviour is having a detrimental effect on our habitat, the very habitat that sustains us. We need to change our behaviour and look after our environment better than we have been, so that our environment can keep looking after us. I support this call and support the continued struggle to act because business as usual will not work for our planet. If we are to halt, and maybe even reverse, hopefully, even just some of the impacts of climate change, then we must take urgent and effective action.

Madam Deputy Speaker, I move:

Add:

“(4) notes the ACT Government’s efforts to make Canberra a more liveable and sustainable bush capital by, amongst other things:

(a) its national and international leadership on climate change;

(b) committing to zero net emissions by 2045; and

MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella—Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Minister for Planning and Land Management, Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Minister assisting the Chief Minister on Advanced Technology and Space Industries) (4.20): I thank Mr Rattenbury for this declaration and Ms Orr for her comments and amendment as well. Canberra Labor is leading national and international action on protecting the environment and addressing climate change. We have committed to zero net emissions by 2045 and will power our city with 100 per cent renewable electricity by 2020. Today’s declaration is emblematic of the action that the ACT government and other Labor states and territories are already taking. Tackling climate change is both an environmental necessity and an economic imperative. Australia must act. It is clear that we need a Shorten Labor government for a national approach to clean energy and emissions reduction.

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