Drought

Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens Energy spokesperson

The Minister for Energy, Matthew Groom, has seriously mismanaged obvious risks in his energy portfolio. This was demonstrated once more in Parliament this morning when he revealed his complete inability to plan for the future.

It's clear Minister Groom ignored warnings from climate organisations of a “super” El Nino that would hit Tasmania over last autumn, spring and summer. The severe drought warnings came nearly two years ago, and were confirmed in May 2015.

Andrea Dawkins MP | Greens Primary Industries and Water spokesperson

The third year of an El Nino weather pattern has brought very difficult conditions to Tasmania.

The current dry conditions look very similar to projections under the government's own global warming modelling, with dry Springs leading into wetter Autumns.

We need to ensure data is being collected and used to inform future water management plans for our catchments.

Cassy O'Connor MP | Greens Leader and Climate spokesperson

The Tasmanian Greens welcome Minister Rockliff's announcement of financial relief for drought stricken Tasmanian farmers but we also want to see this government recognise that hotter, drier conditions are becoming the new 'normal' and longer term planning is needed.

The $10M loan fund will provide some relief for farmers who are suffering the economic and emotional consequences of drought but it won't help our producers adapt to increasingly frequent climate-related dry conditions.