My question is to the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, and I ask: what is being done to ensure initiatives to address climate change are a central part of the upcoming state Labor budget?
Minister, as you know, we have a unique opportunity in this budget to not only boost our economy but also fulfil vital environmental objectives. You and I have had many conversations about the reform and investment needed to take bold action to reduce emissions.
We have spoken about Labor’s unmatched record on climate—everything from home solar to ending native forest logging to overhauling recycling to our more recent announcements on renewables and building the biggest battery in the Southern Hemisphere.
These are gains built on hard work, vision and policy grunt by Labor governments, and as much as the Greens will try to take credit for them on budget day, that old trick is not flying.
Minister, I know you share my view that the pandemic recovery is a critical time for even more action on climate. That means growing our renewables but also reducing the demand on fossil fuels, and I have spoken to you about giving households more choices to go electric.
My community are passionate about climate action, but we are not cynical because we can see the tangible gains being made under Labor.
