2025-06-27
Background
In Budget estimates last week, Minister for the Environment Josh Burgoyne revealed that the Finocchiaro government has walked away from its commitment to reduce emissions by 43% by 2030. The commitment was initially confirmed by Jo Hersey MLA in her capacity as Shadow Minister for the Environment in a letter to the Environment Centre of the NT.
However when questioned on the target by the Member for Gwoja, Chansey Paech MLA, Minister Burgoyne said that the target “is not current government policy.” He also said that the net zero by 2050 target is still in place and “has yet to change”, leaving the door open for it to be scrapped also. He said that the NT is a “relatively small emitter”, and that we must make the most of “opportunities” such as the Beetaloo Basin. This ignores the immense risk and cost of climate change to the NT arising from the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters, health issues arising from extreme heat, damage to the tourism industry, and so much more.
During Budget Estimates, the Chief Minister, the Treasurer and the Deputy Chief Minister (who is also the Minister for Mining and the Minister for Agriculture) said that they accept the science of climate change. However when further questioned by the Member for Nightcliff, Kat McNamara MLA, it became clear that they have no plans to systematically assess and respond to climate risks to our community, our economy or our environment.
At the 2024 Northern Territory Election, the Minister for the Environment came within 350 votes of losing his seat to the Greens candidate Asta Hill. There is a loud demand for climate action in the Minister’s own electorate, yet he has continually weakening protections for the environment, climate and cultural heritage.
The Northern Territory is on the frontline of the climate catastrophe. The NT must urgently develop and implement plans to mitigate and adapt to climate change so that we can ensure our home is resilient and liveable into the future. The NT Greens call on the Finocchiaro and Albanese governments to stop approving new gas projects and urgently invest in renewable energy and environmental protection and restoration.
Quotes attributable to Jonathan Parry, Convenor of the NT Greens
“The CLP has backflipped on yet another election promise. Nothing they say can be trusted.”
“The CLP only listens to their mates in the gas industry, not the community.”
“The CLP government and Federal Labor must urgently stop approving new fossil fuel projects.”
“We need to take this seriously to ensure the NT is safe and liveable into the future.”
Quotes attributable to Kat McNamara MLA, Member for Nightcliff
“It is a disgrace that in 2025 we are still debating whether or not to have climate targets.”
“This is indicative of a government who is so driven ideologically to oppose the international scientific consensus on climate change, that they would rather let the territory be destroyed by climate change than do anything about it.”