❓ Opposition questions the accessibility of public consultation for WA's climate change legislation. Government defends its consultation process, provides a stakeholder list, and avoids committing to an extension.
AnsweredQoN 1248Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
CLIMATE CHANGE — LEGISLATION
1248. Hon Dr BRAD PETTITT to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Climate Action:
I refer to the stated four-week
consultation period for the WA government's climate change legislation,
beginning on Wednesday, 20 September and ending today, for which no link or
email address has been provided as at close of business on Monday, 16 October
2023.
(1) Why has the
government failed to provide a clear and directly accessible avenue for members
of the public to give feedback on the climate change legislation?
(2) Will the
minister please table a list of the ''more than 100 stakeholder groups
invited to information sessions and able to provide feedback on the Climate
Change Bill 2023'', as stated on the website?
(3) If no to (2),
why not?
(4) Will the
minister commit to providing an extension to the public consultation period for
the climate change bill of 2023 and a publicly
accessible link to enable members of the community to provide feedback?
1248. Hon Dr BRAD PETTITT to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Climate Action:
I refer to the stated four-week
consultation period for the WA government's climate change legislation,
beginning on Wednesday, 20 September and ending today, for which no link or
email address has been provided as at close of business on Monday, 16 October
2023.
(1) Why has the
government failed to provide a clear and directly accessible avenue for members
of the public to give feedback on the climate change legislation?
(2) Will the
minister please table a list of the ''more than 100 stakeholder groups
invited to information sessions and able to provide feedback on the Climate
Change Bill 2023'', as stated on the website?
(3) If no to (2),
why not?
(4) Will the
minister commit to providing an extension to the public consultation period for
the climate change bill of 2023 and a publicly
accessible link to enable members of the community to provide feedback?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice
of the question. On behalf of the Minister for Climate Action, I provide the
following answer.
(1) The
government has made significant information on the bill publicly available to
ensure transparency and support understanding of the key provisions of the
legislation. The government has published an explanatory paper, a one-page fact
sheet and answers to frequently asked questions. Information sessions have been
held with a wide range of stakeholder groups to explain the provisions of the
legislation and provide an opportunity for
stakeholders to ask questions and provide feedback on the legislation. A
contact email—[email protected]—is available
online via the publicly accessible link in the one-page fact sheet to allow
stakeholders to seek further information.
(2) I table a list
of stakeholders that were approached to be briefed and provide feedback on the
legislation. This list includes over 140
groups, including First Nations people; peak representative bodies from
industry , agriculture, water and conservation sectors; Australian and
state government agencies; local government; government trading enterprises;
universities; advocacy groups; and non-government organisations. This process
has ensured a diverse range of views have been sought and considered in
finalising the legislation.
[See paper 2722 .]
(3) Not
applicable.
(4) The government announced its intention to introduce
climate change legislation to Parliament in January 2023. The climate
change bill will deliver on this government's commitment to legislate Western
Australia's target of net zero emissions and underscore our commitment
to enduring action on one of the most significant challenges of our lifetime.
The government looks forward to debating the legislation in Parliament.
of the question. On behalf of the Minister for Climate Action, I provide the
following answer.
(1) The
government has made significant information on the bill publicly available to
ensure transparency and support understanding of the key provisions of the
legislation. The government has published an explanatory paper, a one-page fact
sheet and answers to frequently asked questions. Information sessions have been
held with a wide range of stakeholder groups to explain the provisions of the
legislation and provide an opportunity for
stakeholders to ask questions and provide feedback on the legislation. A
contact email—[email protected]—is available
online via the publicly accessible link in the one-page fact sheet to allow
stakeholders to seek further information.
(2) I table a list
of stakeholders that were approached to be briefed and provide feedback on the
legislation. This list includes over 140
groups, including First Nations people; peak representative bodies from
industry , agriculture, water and conservation sectors; Australian and
state government agencies; local government; government trading enterprises;
universities; advocacy groups; and non-government organisations. This process
has ensured a diverse range of views have been sought and considered in
finalising the legislation.
[See paper 2722 .]
(3) Not
applicable.
(4) The government announced its intention to introduce
climate change legislation to Parliament in January 2023. The climate
change bill will deliver on this government's commitment to legislate Western
Australia's target of net zero emissions and underscore our commitment
to enduring action on one of the most significant challenges of our lifetime.
The government looks forward to debating the legislation in Parliament.
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