No amendments, no support, say Greens

The NSW Greens will be voting against the government’s proposed climate laws unless amendments are agreed to that set more ambitious emissions reductions and require the government to actually achieve the targets.

Representatives say the 50 per cent emissions reduction target by 2030 and net zero by 2050 from the Minns Government are the same targets set by the former Coalition Government and will not legislate the existing 70 per cent reduction by 2035 target. The law will also not require the government to take any action to actually achieve the legislated targets.

The Greens have proposed amendments to the law that would allow targets that are more ambitious than what already exist and that would require the government to act to achieve the targets in line with the guiding principles for climate action as described in the legislation.

Sue Higginson MLC, spokesperson for climate change, said, ‘The proposed laws that have been introduced into the parliament don’t even set the bare minimum of binding, legislated emissions reduction targets. Even worse, the targets being proposed are weaker than those set by the former government, with no interim target for 2035.

‘The Minister for Climate Change referred the Government legislation for review by a committee that I chair and the evidence from that inquiry was unequivocal,’ she said.

‘We need urgent action, including more ambition and binding targets, and that the law must be amended before passing the parliament to give it any chance of meeting international obligations for climate action under the Paris Agreement.’

Working hard

Sue Higginson MLC said this morning, ‘We have been working very hard, along with other crossbench members and have put moderate amendments to the government that would make the law consistent with the science and community expectation for climate action.

‘So far, the government has only agreed to consider very minor changes and it appears that rather than being serious about climate action they would rather pass legislation to tick off a pre-election promise with zero ambition.

‘We must be honest about what the government is doing,’ she said. ‘We cannot afford for the NSW community to believe that if this law is passed, then our state is taking adequate action to confront the climate crisis.

‘This legislation will allow coal and gas expansions to continue and will contribute to global temperature increases beyond the 2 degrees celsius that science tells will be catastrophic for the world.

‘The Greens will not support legislation that doesn’t provide a mechanism for the targets to be binding on the Government and we will not vote for this climate law unless it will actually achieve climate action,’ said Ms Higginson.

‘We remain ready to meet with the minister and the premier, to make the changes that are necessary, and to make NSW a climate leader instead of just continuing on the same path that was set by the former government.’

Greens MP for Balmain Kobi Shetty added, ‘The climate crisis is here. It is time decisions are made in the interests of people and the planet, and not fossil fuel corporations. The NSW government is failing to do what’s needed to ensure we move rapidly toward a net zero target.

‘The Greens are committed to doing everything we can to ensure a liveable climate for the future, and that means holding this government to account, and ensuring they introduce binding targets that will bring us to net zero as quickly as possible. The legislation as it currently stands will not do that, and it’s simply not good enough’.

Ballina MP’s view

The Greens member for Ballina, Tamara Smith says NSW Labor must act on climate science, not their own self interest, announcing this morning that she can’t support the NSW Labor government’s Climate Change (Net Zero Future) Bill 2023 without amendments to ensure more ambitious and binding climate targets.

Ms Smith says she and other NSW Greens MPs will continue to negotiate with the government for further and faster action on climate change, in line with calls from most climate scientists and climate activist organisations across the nation including the Climate Council.

The Member for Ballina said, ‘We in the Northern Rivers have sadly joined many communities around the world and in the Pacific who are trapped in a cycle of climate induced extreme weather events with no end in sight. We need steep and binding early targets if we have any hope of turning things around.

‘From a purely political perspective – leaving aside the fact that the planet is on fire – I find it incredibly confusing that Labor wants to be outflanked on climate by the Liberals and Nationals,’ said Tamara Smith. ‘These targets just do not make sense, politically or scientifically.

‘Given the state capture of the Labor government in NSW by powerful coal and gas lobbyists, as well as the recent allegations of Labor ministers flouting the rules and employing their own party insiders to key roles in government departments, we must have an Independent Net Zero Commission.’

Listen to the scientists

‘The Commission Board and Commissioner must be experts in the field of climate science, and not yes men and women for the Labor party,’ said the Ballina MP.

‘It should also have the power to make binding recommendations that governments are held accountable to. We must not allow governments the power to simply pick and choose when they listen to climate science and when they don’t.’

‘What we are asking for is simple – listen to the scientists and not pollsters, before it is too late.’

In order to support the Bill, NSW Greens are requesting amendments to guarantee:

• Binding targets of 75% emissions reduction by 2030 and net zero by 2035.
• Power for the Net Zero Commission to review and provide advice on coal, gas, and other emissions-intensive projects, and
• Integrity over the appointment of the Board and Commissioner of the NSW Net Zero Commission with a requirement that the Government must act upon its advice.