Calls for new Premier Peter Gutwein to act on climate change

New Premier Peter Gutwein has indicated that climate change will be a priority for his government. But the opposition want more.

LABOR and the Greens have called for the new Tasmanian Premier to appoint a Minister for Climate Change when he announces his new cabinet later this week.

Mr Gutwein mentioned climate change several times during his inaugural press conference on Monday as being a priority for his government.

A long summer of bushfires has propelled the issue to the top of the political agenda nationwide.

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Mr Gutwein said that Tasmania was already outperforming other jurisdictions.

“We’ve got a very good story in Tasmania to tell on climate change. We are one of the lowest emitters in the world in terms of carbon, we lead the country,” he said.

“In fact, we’re the first Australian jurisdiction to have zero net emissions. And right now, in the last year we’re at 95 per cent below 1990 emissions.

“We have a very strong position on climate change and we should be taking a lead nationally and talking about the outcomes that we’re getting in Tasmania.”

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Greens leader Cassy O’Connor welcomed Mr Gutwein’s emphasis on the topic.

The Liberals abolished the climate change ministry and the Tasmanian Climate Action Council when they took office in 2014.

“We are prepared to give the new Premier a break on climate, because, like so many Tasmanians we’re very keen to see this government take climate change seriously,” Ms O’Connor said.

“For the past six years the Liberals in government have actually taken us backwards on climate and emissions are rising.

“What good leaders do, is they recognise on the evidence that of course of action is required, that change is required and they work to take the community with them.

“And we’re hoping that Peter Gutwein’s relatively late political life conversion to being a supporter of climate action is much more than words, that it is real action.”

Shadow Minister for Climate Change Alison Standen. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

Labor’s shadow minister for Climate Change Alison Standen said the issue was a priority for Labor.

“Peter Gutwein holds the environment portfolio, and Elise Archer held it before him,” she said.

“Both of them managed it ‘off the side of their desk’ while distracted by issues in their other portfolios, failing to take real action or show leadership on climate change.

“An example of inaction is the failure to enact changes to Tasmania’s Climate Change Act, which sets the Tasmanian Government’s legislative framework for action on climate change.

“Public consultation on the proposed changes closed more than two months ago, but Peter Gutwein has been silent on what happens next.”