Cassy O'Connor MP | Greens Leader
Thousands of young Tasmanians, and community members who care for their future, gathered to strike on Parliament Lawns and around Tasmania last Friday.
People in Hobart, Launceston, Devonport, Burnie, Cygnet, Wynyard, Zeehan, Currie and St Helens joined millions across the globe demanding climate action from government.
When we questioned the Premier in Parliament this morning about his lack of attendance at Friday's strike, Mr Hodgman said he had ‘other commitments’ on the day.
School strikers, their families and friends will be asking – what is more important than their future? Where was the Premier and the leadership young Tasmanians are demanding?
Every elected Greens representative in Tasmania joined the strike, across all levels of government. Will Hodgman had the opportunity to stand with his community and lead, but neither he nor any Liberal minister showed up.
In Parliament today, Will Hodgman also had the gall to commend Prime Minister Scott Morrison for his ‘commitment to climate leadership’. This is the Prime Minister who fondled a lump of black coal in Parliament, refused to attend a climate strike or show up to the UN Climate Summit.
Will Hodgman backed in a Prime Minister who met with climate denier, President Donald Trump, and Liberal corporate donors instead of committing to climate action on the global stage.
This is not leadership, it’s a slap in the face to the estimated 300 000 Australians who marched for climate action on 20 September.
Premier Hodgman should be condemning Scott Morrison, not applauding him.
We hope the Premier will think of the children and young people pleading for urgent climate action. Those students and their families want leadership, and we hope Will Hodgman will abandon his denial and dangerous inertia and take a stand for their future.
Tasmanians deserve better than a Premier who is a no-show in the face of the biggest and most serious threat to humanity and all life on Earth.