Independent MP in Australia’s House of Representatives Zali Steggall has unveiled a new plan to deal with climate change this morning, calling for an end to the political “climate wars”, just as the issue sparked renewed, bitter division inside the government.
Speaking at a press conference in Canberra, Ms Steggall outlined a draft private member’s bill which would commit Australia to a target of zero net carbon emissions by 2050, a goal she said was “not revolutionary”.
Ms Steggall defeated former conservative Liberal-National prime minister Tony Abbott, an avowed climate denier, in the Sydney seat of Warringah at last year’s federal election, winning the historically safe Liberal seat with a campaign focused primarily around greater action on climate change.
Her climate legislation, which is being co-sponsored by fellow independents Rebekah Sharkie, Helen Haines and Andrew Wilkie, would mirror that already adopted by some other nations, such as the United Kingdom and New Zealand.
“2020 is a new decade, and let’s run a line in the sand on the past divisions we’ve had in terms of where we’re heading as a country,” Ms Steggall said.
“This is as apolitical a bill as we can make it. We’re putting forward a sensible plan for Australia to have a long term, safe future when it comes to dealing with the impacts of climate change.”
The bill, formally known as the Climate Change (National Framework for Adaption and Mitigation) Bill, would require the federal government, under Prime Minister Scott Morrison, to establish national plans for reducing emissions and adaption to climate change, that must be regularly reviewed and updated by the government.
The bill would set up an independent climate change commission, run by experts, which would then advise the relevant federal minister on the best course of action to reduce carbon emissions, and report on the effectiveness of existing policies.
Ms Steggall’s proposal would also require national climate change risk assessments to be carried out every five years, with the government preparing a fresh national adaptation plan in response to each one.
“This Bill is a sensible and bipartisan approach to safeguarding Australia’s future against the impacts of Climate Change,” Ms Steggall said.
“The devastating fires that ripped through Australia over summer; the drought; and our deteriorating air pollution have shown how the impacts of climate change are a real threat to our way of life.”
“It is time to take the party politics out of climate policy. It is a matter of principle that we should all be committed to a safer future.
“I am urging for a conscience vote when I present the bill on March 23 as a Private Member’s Bill.
“Now is the time for a rational approach to climate change.”
Ms Steggall will be targeting support from so-called ‘modern’ Liberals, including Trent Zimmerman, Dave Sharma, Tim Wilson, Katie Allen, Fiona Martin and John Alexander, who have all called on their own party to embrace stronger climate change targets.
At least three members of the Liberal-National government would need to cross the floor for the bill to pass.
“I really urge my fellow MPs to think of this as a matter of principle.
“This is for the long-term safety of Australians,” she said.
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