❓ A WA parliamentary question regarding the state government's stance on climate change policy, specifically in relation to the Paris Agreement and potential unilateral action, met with a non-committal answer.
AnsweredQoN 567Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY —
PARIS AGREEMENT
567. Hon ROBIN SCOTT to the Leader of the House representing
the Premier:
(1) Andrew
Burrell stated in an article in The Australian online of 3 June
2019 —
Mr McGowan said last week that Western
Australia may have to go it alone on climate policy unless the Morrison
government took greater action to meet Australia's commitments under
the 2016 Paris agreement on greenhouse gas emissions.
Is this a correct report?
(2) Has a study
been conducted by the state government on the possible scope of unilateral
action on climate policy by it and the cost of such action; and, if so will the
Leader of the House table that study on behalf of the Premier?
(3) Can the
Premier confirm that the Paris Agreement dated 12 December 2015 makes no
mention of carbon dioxide?
(4) Can the
Premier confirm that article 28 of the said Paris Agreement provides that at
any time after three years from the date on which this agreement has entered
into force for a party, that party may withdraw from this agreement by giving
written notification to the secretary-general?
PARIS AGREEMENT
567. Hon ROBIN SCOTT to the Leader of the House representing
the Premier:
(1) Andrew
Burrell stated in an article in The Australian online of 3 June
2019 —
Mr McGowan said last week that Western
Australia may have to go it alone on climate policy unless the Morrison
government took greater action to meet Australia's commitments under
the 2016 Paris agreement on greenhouse gas emissions.
Is this a correct report?
(2) Has a study
been conducted by the state government on the possible scope of unilateral
action on climate policy by it and the cost of such action; and, if so will the
Leader of the House table that study on behalf of the Premier?
(3) Can the
Premier confirm that the Paris Agreement dated 12 December 2015 makes no
mention of carbon dioxide?
(4) Can the
Premier confirm that article 28 of the said Paris Agreement provides that at
any time after three years from the date on which this agreement has entered
into force for a party, that party may withdraw from this agreement by giving
written notification to the secretary-general?
AnswerView source ↗
The wording in the last part of
part (4), is slightly different in the copy of the question that has been
signed off by the Premier. I do not think it materially changes the answer. I think
it just goes to the title of the person, so I will provide the answer.
(1)–(4) The
state government's long-held position is that the federal government
needs to provide national leadership on reducing emissions to deliver a consistent
policy across the country. Although the federal government's target of
reducing emissions by 28 per cent by 2030 is supported, it has failed to
outline how it will successfully achieve this. The state government's
number one priority is to strengthen the economy and create jobs, and this
means providing certainty to industry to help it create jobs. Our position is
not to introduce an enforceable state emissions reduction target or renewable
energy target. However, we will continue to work with industry cooperatively on
measures to reduce emissions.
part (4), is slightly different in the copy of the question that has been
signed off by the Premier. I do not think it materially changes the answer. I think
it just goes to the title of the person, so I will provide the answer.
(1)–(4) The
state government's long-held position is that the federal government
needs to provide national leadership on reducing emissions to deliver a consistent
policy across the country. Although the federal government's target of
reducing emissions by 28 per cent by 2030 is supported, it has failed to
outline how it will successfully achieve this. The state government's
number one priority is to strengthen the economy and create jobs, and this
means providing certainty to industry to help it create jobs. Our position is
not to introduce an enforceable state emissions reduction target or renewable
energy target. However, we will continue to work with industry cooperatively on
measures to reduce emissions.
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