Anne Baker to appear on ABC’s Q&A over net zero mission
She represents the region reliant on the coal industry but says she has been locked out of discussions on reducing emissions. Anne Baker plans to take her case national.
Mackay
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The mayor of one of Australia’s largest coal-producing regions says her region has been left out of discussions about reaching carbon neutrality by 2050.
“This (net zero) conversation has been about us, and to us, but it hasn’t been inclusive of us,” Isaac Regional Council Mayor Anne Baker said.
“It’s been a very black and white shut the (coal) industry down conversation.”
Ms Baker said her invite to appear on ABC’s Q+A panel this Thursday was a chance to represent the Isaac region — which encompasses the mineral rich Bowen Basin — on the national stage.
The Bowen Basin has about 30 operational coal mines and produces more than 42 per cent of Queensland’s saleable coal, generating more than $1 billion in royalty payments for the state’s coffers.
“Every week we are being presented with mining leases being approved with a 75-year life,” she said.
Ms Baker said they were not naive and knew they had to lower carbon emissions.
“From our perspective, there would not be one major industry in this region that’s not already looking at that, that’s not already making better environmental choices.
“The mining industry in particular is that heavily regulated in terms of the environment that they’ve got no choice but to be doing it now but without an emissions target and a solid policy.”
Ms Baker said Isaac constituents wanted details of how any net zero target would be accomplished.
“I’m not sure if there’s anybody in the country that can actually put their hand on their heart and say net zero is actually achievable,” she said.
“There’s a lot of opinion and there’s a lot of speculation but it’s all individualistic.
“To be clear, our local government, we’ve got a major resources footprint, we’re a critical powerhouse in terms of economic delivery (but) unfortunately we’re not a decision maker and we haven’t been considered in any framework.”
Ms Baker will be the only local government representative on the Q+A show with other panellists including Cleantech investor and Climate 200 founder, Simon Holmes à Court, Industry, Energy and Emissions Reductions Assistant Minister Tim Wilson, Climate Change and Energy opposition spokesman Chris Bowen and Seed Indigenous Youth Climate Network national director Amelia Telford.
Ms Baker said she was also prepared to answer questions about her region’s low Covid-19 vaccination rates.
“Not that I’m defending the fact that rates are down but there has been some challenges along the way,” she said, adding this included supply issues, getting approvals for outlets to administer the vaccine, and Isaac residents having an average age of 33.
“So it has only been about eight weeks since the age bracket to get yourself vaccinated has opened up to that cohort.”
She said the state government’s December 17 vaccination deadline would motivate a higher take-up as “whether we know it or not, Covid-19 will be in the (Isaac) region”.
Q+A broadcasts live from Melbourne at 8.30pm, Thursday. Submit a video question for the panel here.
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