Jenny Leong takes aim at Climate Change policy

BY LUCAS BAIRD

Greens Member for Newtown, Jenny Leong, has used the second reading of the Greens 2016 Climate Change bill to criticise past and present governments for their lack of action on “the biggest challenge that we face as a society”.

The bill was introduced last month and aims to tackle climate change in NSW by setting a target of zero net greenhouse gas emissions by July 2040. The bill also involves establishing a NSW Climate Change Commission and preparing a new Climate Change Action plan every four years.

Former Australian governments have “fallen short” in the fight against climate change according to Ms Leong, as previous schemes haven’t been able to make a sustained impact.

She believes the solution is a more integrated response between state and local governments, the private business sector, and the wider community.

The key to this would be the new Climate Change Commission, which would “provide independent advice and recommendations about climate change to the Minister, and to consult with and provide information to communities, local government, non-government organisations and businesses relating to action on climate change”.

Ms Leong labelled the proposed cooperation as “crucial”, citing concerns from the health, agricultural, and renewable sectors for this as evidence.

“This bill will require current and future New South Wales governments across all departments, in coordination with local councils, to plan for and deliver effective action for climate change mitigation and adaptation,” Ms Leong said.

“Climate change is real. It is happening, and it is clear that we need to step up our efforts massively not just in this place and in New South Wales but also across this country and around the globe if we are to prevent the most catastrophic impact of this reality on our planet.”

It appears unlikely the bill will pass through the NSW Lower House after Greens MP Jan Bardham had a similar bill voted down in the Upper House this March.

The Government also voted through their own Climate Change bill earlier this month. That legislation targeted zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and introduced the NSW Climate Change Fund.