What you want v What the major parties want > Today’s issue: Climate change
WHAT you, the voter, wants v What the major parties want. Today’s issue: CLIMATE CHANGE. Find out what the parties’ stances on climate change are, and then tell us what you think. VOTE IN OUR POLL >>
Politics
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THE NT election this week is shaping up to be one of the tightest races on record.
The three major parties — Labor, the CLP and Territory Alliance — have revealed some of their policies in the run-up to polling day, but they are yet to reveal where they stand on many hot button issues.
The NT News online site, ntnews.com.au, will help fill in some of the gaps for you by asking each of the parties where they stand on one particular issue — one that Territorians have had strong opinions on in the past — each day until the election.
What you want v What the major parties want > The issue: Open speed limits
What you want v What the major parties want > The issue: The BDR
What you want v What the major parties want > The issue: Reinstating NT euthanasia laws
What you want v What the major parties want > Legalising cannabis in the NT
We will also ask you, our readers, the same questions so that you can voice your own opinion on the matter in online poll to gauge how the parties think compared to how the average voter thinks.
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Today’s topic: CLIMATE CHANGE
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ALP
Q. Does Territory Labor believe that climate change is happening and is caused by human activity?
A. Yes. The science is clear.
The Territory Labor Government has released our comprehensive science-based Climate Change Response and Three-Year Action Plan.
We are taking climate-smart action to deliver low-cost renewable energy, create new permanent local jobs and protect our environment.
Q. Does Territory Labor believe that climate change will negatively affect the lives and businesses of Territorians if action is not taken by a government it leads?
A. The Business Council of Australia has said that climate smart-action ‘will not only get us to a net zero emissions future but will also create new jobs, opportunities and industries, and maintain Australia’s competitiveness.’
We’re making sure these jobs, opportunities and industries are created right here in the Territory to diversify and strengthen our economy.
We’re backing industries — including advanced manufacturing powered by the sun, renewable energy exports and the Aboriginal Carbon Industry — to create local jobs and new opportunities across the Territory.
Q. Explain Labor’s policy on climate change and how it will affect the Territory
A. Territory Labor will continue to implement our Climate Change Response and Three-Year Action Plan – including our net zero emissions by 2050 target and our 50% renewable energy by 2030 target.
Our response is built around four key areas:
1. Reducing emissions to achieve net zero emissions by 2050
2. Building a resilient Territory that adapts and responds to the impacts of climate change
3. Unlocking the opportunities from a low-carbon future
4. Informing and involving all Territorians
Taking climate-smart action will deliver low-cost clean energy, create new local jobs for Territorians and protect our environment.
Q. If Labor believes that climate change will negatively affect the lives and businesses of Territorians in some form, how soon will it commit to taking action to address the issue after taking power?
A. Territory Labor recognises the opportunities in taking climate-smart action. We’re already getting on with the job. We have established the Office of Climate Change and Office of Sustainable Energy to implement our Climate Change Response.
We’re working with experts to understand the risks climate change presents, so we can effectively manage these risks and share this knowledge with all Territorians.
We’re investing in the growth of renewable energy. We’ve released our Renewable Hydrogen Strategy and launched the Home and Business Battery Scheme and the $5 million Solar for Schools program.
A re-elected Territory Labor Government will continue to deliver for Territorians.
Terry Mills and the CLP have an appalling track record on the environment – they ignored the science and scrapped Labor’s climate change and renewables policy. They can’t be trusted.
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BUT WHAT DO YOU THINK? VOTE IN OUR POLL NOW!
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LIMITED TIME – Discounted NT News subscription: Read everything for $1
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CLP
Q. Does the CLP believe that climate change is happening and is caused by human activity?
A.. Yes.
Q. Does the CLP believe that climate change will negatively affect the lives and businesses of Territorians if action is not taken by a government it leads?
A. Yes.
Q. Explain the CLP’s policy on climate change and how it will affect the Territory
A. The Country Liberal Party is committed to strong measures to combat climate change.
The CLP backs a 50 per cent renewable energy target by 2030 and expanding our creation of clean power for the Territory and east coast market.
The CLP will direct the Utilities Commission to conduct a study into the optimal mix of renewables for the Territory as well as conduct a cost benefit analysis of connecting our fragile and isolated energy grids to each other and the east coast.
The CLP is also committed to doubling the rooftop solar battery subsidy to $12,000 and will foster the uptake of low-emissions vehicles in the NTG fleet.
The CLP will create a taskforce within the Department of Chief Minister to explore specific options to help the Territory achieve zero net emissions, including carbon offsets, such as increased utilisation of carbon-farming, carbon sequestration options and improving energy efficiency of the public and private sectors.
The CLP will also task the new Territory Coordinator with developing a hydrogen export pilot program.
Q. If the CLP believes that climate change will negatively affect the lives and businesses of Territorians in some form, how soon will it commit to taking action to address the issue after taking power?
A. The CLP will direct the Utilities Commission to conduct the study into the optimal mix of renewables for the Territory and the cost benefit analysis of connecting our fragile and isolated energy grids to each other and the east coast, within the first three months of government.
The CLP will also double the rooftop solar battery rebate, within three months of forming government.
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BUT WHAT DO YOU THINK? VOTE IN OUR POLL NOW!
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LIMITED TIME – Discounted NT News subscription: Read everything for $1
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TERRITORY ALLIANCE
Q. Does Territory Alliance believe that climate change is happening and is caused by human activity?
A. Yes.
Q. Does Territory Alliance believe that climate change will negatively affect the lives and businesses of Territorians if action is not taken by a government it leads?
A. Yes.
Q. Explain Territory Alliance’s policy on climate change and how it will affect the Territory
A. A Territory Alliance Government will legislate emissions targets for 2030 at 50% and for 2050 at 90%.
Our aspiration is to achieve net zero by 2050 or earlier.
We will have an Office of Climate Change and a Climate Change Act and commit to policies to protect our environment such as banning fracking and investing in renewable energy.
We will review how to further support opportunities such as fire abatement and carbon capture because we believe carbon farming in tandem with renewables holds great potential for the NT.
We believe hydrogen and solar are exciting energy options to invest in.
Q. If Territory Alliance believes that climate change will negatively affect the lives and businesses of Territorians in some form, how soon will it commit to taking action to address the issue after taking power?
A. Territory Alliance will establish the Office of Climate Change within the first months of government and aims to have draft legislation within the first 100 days for consultation.
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