Loss of Kakadu prompted Perron Government to step up

Former CLP Chief Minister Marshall Perron has said even the most conservative politicians today could not deny climate change as he reflects on action his government took 30 years ago but said he did not envy the hard decisions to be made.

Double Falls slowly meanders down the rock face and enters the plain of the Arnhem Plateau in Kakadu National Park. The CLP were worried 30 years about the effects of climate change.

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Former CLP Chief Minister Marshall Perron has said even the most conservative politicians today could not deny climate change as he reflects on action his government took 30 years ago but said he did not envy the hard decisions to be made.

He said Cabinet were worried the predicted rising sea levels would flood a large portion of the world heritage listed area of Kakadu National Park.

The flood plains sit just inches above sea level.

Mr Perron said the then government was worried about the loss of habitat, cultural history and tourism.

He made a submission to a Commonwealth inquiry into greenhouse effects and the need for a co-ordinated approach to tackle the issue.

The submission called for an exploration of alternative energy sources and a national co-ordinated approach to the issue.

His comments come after his government’s stance on climate change three decades ago was revealed in last weeks’ release of 1989 NT Cabinet records.

“We were very concerned about it (Kakadu),” Mr Perron said.

The Perron Government also funded research led by CSIRO into tackling the possible effects climate change would have on agriculture, manufacturing, construction, public works and services, and on coastal communities.

He could not recall the findings of the research from CSIRO saying it was too long ago to remember.

Mr Perron said everyone, even the most conservative of politicians today could not deny climate change.

“I think they all recognise that this is happening even the most conservative of them will acknowledge it,” he said.

He said what should be done was another issue as any action taken would effect jobs and the economy.

“Today it is a very political and controversial because of the action that is necessary,” he said.

“In some respect I don’t envy them they are hard decisions to make with the ramifications.” He said “no government would survive” if it took hard action against climate change.

Mr Perron said back when his government made their view clear climate change was wasn't taken as seriously as it is now.