Tasmanian Greens MPs

Amendment

An Amendment to the Question was proposed by the Attorney-General to leave out paragraphs (1) to (6) and insert instead the following new paragraphs:

“(1)         Acknowledges that climate change is a serious and urgent challenge that requires immediate and practical action from local, national and international Governments;

(2)        Notes that Tasmania must continue to be a leader in responding to climate change, especially in the areas of climate science and research, and renewable energy;

(3)            Recognises that Climate Action 21: Tasmania’s Climate Change Action Plan 2017-2021 sets the Tasmanian Government’s agenda for action on climate change and articulates how Tasmania will play its role in the global response to climate change;

(4)            Notes that Tasmania was the first jurisdiction in Australia to achieve zero net emissions in 2016 and the Government’s Tasmania-First Energy policy is on target to deliver full self-sufficiency in renewables by 2022, with the Tasmanian Government investing up to $30 million for the Battery of the Nation project and, with support from the Federal Government, $56 million to progress a second interconnector.

(5)            Notes that the Tasmanian Government has committed $3 million in funding to support the delivery of Climate Change Action Plan and that these actions include:

(a)    establishing a long-term emissions reduction target of zero net emissions by 2050;

(b)    supporting the rollout of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Tasmania;

(c)     delivering a business resource efficiency program that will assist small and medium-sized businesses to reduce their emissions and operating costs through resource efficiency initiatives, and building industry capacity;

(d)    funding for the Power$mart Home and Businesses programs, which provides financial support over two years to conduct energy audits for small and medium-sized businesses to identify opportunities to improve energy efficiency, and to reduce power bills and emissions, and helping low income households reduce their energy costs through support and education, energy efficiency audits and low cost upgrades; and

(e)     working with local government and regional bodies to embed climate change consideration into strategic and financial decision making.

(6)            Notes that the $3 million in funding builds on over $400 million already invested by the Tasmanian Government to support action on climate change, including:

(a)    a comprehensive targeted fuel reduction burning program;

(b)    the Tasmanian Energy Efficiency Loan Scheme;

(c)     modernising and upgrading our renewable hydro-electricity assets;

(d)    investing in our irrigation infrastructure to provide greater surety for farmers in a changing climate;

(e)     nationally accredited training related to climate change issues; and

(f)      supporting businesses and households to improve their energy efficiency.”

Original Motion

That the House:—

(1)           Acknowledges that the world is in a state of climate emergency.

(2)           Recognises the critical work of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

(3)           Agrees that global temperature rise must be limited to 1.5 degrees to minimise the worst impact of global heating.

(4)           Commends the United Kingdom, Ireland, the ACT Assembly and the five hundred and twenty eight Councils that have recognised the climate emergency.

(5)           Further agrees that Australia and Tasmania must take stronger, sustained action to lower our emissions and adapt to the reality of a world in a state of climate emergency.

(6)           Declares a climate emergency and calls on the Tasmanian Government to adopt strong targets backed by effective measures to reduce Tasmania's emissions and ensure that strong climate adaptation measures are implemented.