Climate action plan spruiked during state election not completed

A climate action plan promoted by the State Government during last year’s election campaign is yet to be completed.

A new climate action plan spruiked during the election campaign by the Palaszczuk Government hasn’t been completed, despite it being branded as a 2020-2030 report – and it’s not known when it will be released.

Former Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch revealed during an online debate in October that a re-elected Palaszczuk Government would deliver the Climate Action Plan 2020-2030.

However the Government has again failed to explain how the plan, which has been touted as a key commitment for this term, would be different to its Pathways to a Climate-Resilient Queensland 2017-2030 plan.

LNP environment spokesman Sam O’Connor claimed the only action Labor cared about was making it “look like they’re doing something”.

“The Palaszczuk Government has already spent millions putting together similar climate change strategies and this latest plan is destined to gather dust on the minister’s desk – alongside the last two,” he said.

LNP environment spokesman Sam O'Connor. Picture: Steve Holland

“Labor has no credibility, no idea and no practical way of achieving their targets.”

The new plan will “map out” the Government’s actions around climate change over the next decade, with Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon having previously said the department would absorb the cost of producing it.

Ms Scanlon said Mr O’Connor had “some nerve” criticising the government’s actions on climate change “given the LNP tried to scrap our renewable energy target, voted against tree clearing laws and has known climate deniers within their ranks”.

“The Palaszczuk government accepts the science on climate change, and the role that we have to play to reduce carbon emissions while ensuring that Queensland can grow more jobs in more industries,” she said.

“At the election, we made a commitment to develop a Climate Action Plan which will be prepared in consultation with industry, NGOs, academia and the community. This will build on the action already taken under the Queensland Climate Transition strategy, while mapping the pathway forward for the next decade … I am determined to leave a better world for the next generation.”