Zali Steggall calls for climate emergency as bushfires continue to rage across NSW and QLD

Zali Steggall has slammed what she calls the government’s inaction on climate change and has urged MPs to declare a climate emergency. 

Zali Steggall is calling for a declaration of a climate emergency

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Zali Steggall has said the devastating bushfires ravaging parts of NSW and Queensland should act as a wake up call on climate change.

The independent MP for Warringah was speaking as she calls for the Government to declare a climate emergency.

Shortly after coming out of the chamber on Wednesday afternoon, she told the Manly Daily: “We were warned in April by the fire brigade chiefs that we were woefully unprepared for this fire season.

89 year old Peregian Beach resident and artist Pam Murphy with one of her own paintings which survived in the wreckage of her home which was destroyed by a bushfire on Monday night. Photo Lachie Millard

“We’ve had prolonged droughts and extreme weather conditions. This isn’t me but experts in our field who have telling us this.”

She added: “People are already dying as a result of climate change. This is a real situation.”

On Wednesday she backed a crossbench motion calling on the Federal Government to declare a climate emergency.

More than 990 governments, councils and other jurisdictions around the world have declared a climate emergency, including Northern Beaches Council.

It is expected to be voted on in Canberra next month with Ms Steggall among those calling for it to be a conscience vote — rather than along party lines.

Flames from the devastating bushfire at Peregian Beach on September 9. Photo: Wavell Bush Photography.

“I think the Government is being held to ransom by its far right,” she said.

“We need to have a bipartisan approach on this.

“We model ourselves on the UK system where there is right and left and they have a bipartisan approach … it just beggars belief.”

She also called out minister David Littleproud, who is responsible for drought and natural disasters, who earlier this week said he was not convinced climate change is man-made.

Zali Steggall during Question Time in the House of Representatives Chamber, at Parliament House in Canberra, on Wednesday. Picture Kym Smith

“I mean, come on,” she said. “This is happening now.”

She added: “And this whole idea of we are only 1.3 per cent. Although that isn’t even right, you don’t tell your kids ‘don’t worry you don’t have to do your homework because other kids aren’t doing it’. I mean, is that the standard we are going to set our flag by?”

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