❓ Dr. Pettitt questions the WA government on the climate change legislation consultation, seeking details on submissions received, their sentiment, and the decision not to make them public. The government provides data on submissions, indicates overall support, and explains its decision to address concerns through updated FAQs instead of publishing individual submissions.
AnsweredQoN 1809Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the four-week consultation period for the WA government’s climate change legislation, beginning on Wednesday, 20 September and ending on Tuesday 17 October, and I ask: (a) how many submissions were received: (i) from stakeholders who were invited to give feedback; and (ii) from individuals and groups not on the list of stakeholders that was tabled as part of the answer to Question Without Notice 1248 on 17 October 2023; (b) how many of the submissions received were: (i) supportive of the proposed climate change legislation; and (ii) critical of the proposed climate change legislation; (c) unlike the link to provide feedback on the government’s climate change legislation, will the Minister commit to making all submissions public; and (d) if no to (c), why is the government afraid of public scrutiny of its flagship climate change legislation?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
27 February 2024
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Climate Action
Response time
2 days
(a) Approximately 260 submissions on the climate change legislation were received. These were from First Nations people, peak representative bodies from industry, agriculture, water and conservation sectors, State and local government, government trading enterprises, advocacy groups and non-government organisations.
Of these, 37 submissions were received from stakeholders who were invited to participate in the consultation and attend an information session.
(b) The overwhelming majority of submissions received by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation indicated support for the introduction of climate change legislation in Western Australia. Stakeholders recognised the importance of long term and interim targets, including emissions budgets, and the need for regular development of strategies and plans to reduce emissions and enhance climate resilience, and annual reporting to Parliament to support accountability and transparency.
Some submissions were supportive of climate change legislation in general while outlining opportunities to strengthen the Bill.
(c-d) While the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation does not intend to publish individual submissions, responses to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) have been updated to address all of the substantive issues raised by stakeholders during the consultation process.
Responses to FAQs are available at: www.wa.gov.au/service/environment/environment-information-services/climate-change-legislation#:~:text=On%2030%20November%202023%20the,net%20zero%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions .
The final Climate Change Bill, tabled in Parliament on 30 November 2023, responds to issues raised in submissions, including proposals to strengthen the linkages between the purpose of the legislation and the goals of the Paris Agreement and provisions related to the statutory emissions reduction strategy and enabling of emissions targets under the legislation.
Of these, 37 submissions were received from stakeholders who were invited to participate in the consultation and attend an information session.
(b) The overwhelming majority of submissions received by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation indicated support for the introduction of climate change legislation in Western Australia. Stakeholders recognised the importance of long term and interim targets, including emissions budgets, and the need for regular development of strategies and plans to reduce emissions and enhance climate resilience, and annual reporting to Parliament to support accountability and transparency.
Some submissions were supportive of climate change legislation in general while outlining opportunities to strengthen the Bill.
(c-d) While the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation does not intend to publish individual submissions, responses to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) have been updated to address all of the substantive issues raised by stakeholders during the consultation process.
Responses to FAQs are available at: www.wa.gov.au/service/environment/environment-information-services/climate-change-legislation#:~:text=On%2030%20November%202023%20the,net%20zero%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions .
The final Climate Change Bill, tabled in Parliament on 30 November 2023, responds to issues raised in submissions, including proposals to strengthen the linkages between the purpose of the legislation and the goals of the Paris Agreement and provisions related to the statutory emissions reduction strategy and enabling of emissions targets under the legislation.
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