OPINION: Legislated targets, an independent regulator, and regular reviews will need to win multiparty and Senate support, writes Zali Steggall.
Last week, the Albanese government foreshadowed it will introduce climate change legislation in the first sitting of parliament next month. This is welcome and will set the tone for the coming parliament as one that is constructive and proactive on the issue of our times.When it comes to climate action at this critical time, we cannot afford to let the perfect be the enemy of the good, as the Greens did with the blocking of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme in 2009.
I appreciate that this is where our politics is at, but our target’s ambition must be responsive to changes in the international context and in line with the latest science. An authority with respected and skilled members can reflect on the latest academic studies and developments and produce a recommended target that is responsible.On the current authority, it was stacked with the last government’s fossil fuel executive allies.
The policies provided by the government in its “Powering Australia” plan are welcome and will go a long way to reducing our emissions. Submissions to the consultation should be public and the advice of the authority should be released. Alongside regular reporting towards budgets and targets, these measures will bolster accountability and clearly track how Australia is balancing its emissions budgets. Only then will government rebuild trust in climate policy.
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