Independent Member for Clark, Andrew Wilkie, today proposed a Matter of Public Importance in Federal Parliament and called on the Federal Government to better protect our natural environment.
“For too long the Federal Government has treated Australia’s natural environment with contempt,” Mr Wilkie said.
“Australia is currently on track to heat by 4.4 degrees by the end of the century, which will obviously have a catastrophic impact on our environment. Yet the Government repeatedly fails to take meaningful action on climate change, instead continuing its obsession with dirty fossil fuels like gas. Anything short of a short-term target for 100% renewables and zero-net carbon emissions is irresponsible in the extreme, especially given Australia’s abundant renewable energy resources.
“Moreover Australia is desperately in need of a whole new set of environmental laws to halt the ever increasing rate of extinction of our native flora and fauna, prevent unchecked deforestation, and help build resilience to the effects of climate change. We need robust national laws informed by the best available science, enforced by an independent regulator at arms-length from Government.
“The Morrison Government’s appalling behaviour in pushing through half-baked amendments to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act in September just illustrates their breathtaking disregard for the environment, and obsession with making money for big business at any cost.”