2026-02-06
The Victorian Greens Leader, Ellen Sandell, has accused Labor MPs of hypocrisy and performative sympathy as Parliament returns today after a month of devastating bushfires and floods.
Sandell said Labor MPs cannot credibly express concern for communities impacted by bushfires while their own government continues approving new fossil fuel projects that are worsening the climate crisis.
Over the past nine months, the Allan Labor Government has handed fossil fuel corporations five new approvals including just off the coast of the Otways which was ravaged by fire.
Parliament will speak on the bushfires during a condolence motion today, where Sandell said she will directly challenge Labor MPs on what she described as a fundamental contradiction between their words and actions, accusing Labor MPs of crying crocodile tears.
Climate disasters are already costing Victorians an estimated $2.7 billion every year, with costs rising as disasters become more frequent and severe. Many homes across Victoria are predicted to become uninsurable by 2030, leaving families exposed while fossil fuel corporations continue to make billions in profit and pay little to no tax.
The Greens say Victoria cannot accept this as the new normal and are calling on the Allan Labor Government to immediately stop approving new fossil fuel projects, end special treatment for fossil fuel corporations, and start making polluters pay for the damage they cause.
The Greens will also introduce amendments to expand the government’s coal mine rehabilitation liability scheme to cover all mines, ensuring companies are held financially responsible for environmental damage rather than leaving taxpayers to foot the bill. The party has previously introduced legislation to ban new offshore oil and gas drilling, as well as a coal ban, but these were not supported by Labor.
Quotes attributable to the Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell:
“The past month has felt apocalyptic in Victoria, with extreme heat, bushfires and floods devastating communities.
“Labor MPs can’t hand out meals at relief centres with one hand and approve new fossil fuel projects with the other. It’s insulting to the communities who have lost everything.
“Climate disasters are already costing Victorians well over $2 billion every year, and those costs are rising fast. Many homes will become uninsurable by 2030, yet Labor continues to give special treatment to fossil fuel corporations that are driving this crisis.
“Polluters should be paying for the damage they cause, not ordinary people. Instead, Labor is cosying up to them, giving them a free pass to make billions in profit and pay nothing in tax while the community is left to pick up the bill.”