2019-07-03
By Hon. Tim Clifford, MLC for East Metropolitan
Our incredible vollies
To kick of this edition of the Greens Issue I’d like to start by thanking our incredible Greens volunteers. Though the result of the Federal election was unexpected and less than ideal (to say the least!), we can take solace in the fact Jordon Steele-John was re-elected as our WA Senator. A feat that would not have been possible without the dedication and tenacity of our volunteers. So a big congratulations and an even bigger thank you to all those that supported the campaign. And another big thankyou to all of the candidates and campaign teams who ran in the East Metro region – it was great to get out on the campaign trail with you all.
Local legends
While we’re on the subject of dedication to the cause, how incredible are our local student strikers acting for climate change action?! Rain, hail or shine, students (and their supporters) are still making themselves known outside Parliament House every Friday. It has been so inspiring seeing young people stand up for our planet, our people, and our future. These are our future leaders and it is heartening to see them actively engaged in tackling the climate crisis.
The other local legends I’d like to acknowledge are two Greens members Jenny and Bevan Carter, who were recently acknowledged for their commitment to the community of Bassendean. The former councillor and former deputy mayor, respectively, were named honorary freepersons of the Town of Bassendean. The Carters were the founding members of the Bassendean Historical Society and were committed to building relationships with the Aboriginal community, especially the Swan Valley Nyungah Community. It was such an honour to share such a special moment with these stalwarts of our community.
EPA submissions
As some of you may know WA’s Environmental Protection Authority recently published draft guidelines on how the independent environmental watchdog would assess greenhouse gas emissions of future developments in WA. Reflecting climate science, emission trends, existing (or lack of) policies and regulations, and the risk to the Western Australian environment, the guidelines proposed that new and expanding developments would have to devise ways of avoiding or reducing emissions, and proposals that emit more than 100,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide would have to be carbon-neutral. Naturally there was major backlash from industry, and after a call from Premier Mark McGowan, the EPA rescinded the guidelines a week later in favour of further consultation -- an unprecedented move. This is yet another example of the power that corporate interests have over politics in this State. The WA Labor government is proudly siding with the Oil and Gas Industry over the people and environment of WA.
The EPA have now opened the consultation process and have invited business, industry and all members of the public to make submissions on the guidelines, on what they see as reasonable in terms of greenhouse gas mitigation from big emitters. WA’s emissions have increased by 27 per cent from 2000 to 2016, a rise that can be directly attributed to the growth of LNG industry in the state. These big polluters should be required to make a greater effort to reduce their pollution, and I would urge everyone to make a submission calling the EPA to reinstate the guidelines. My team and I are in the process of putting together some submission writing workshops as well as some suggested submission points – so watch this space. In the meantime Conservation Council WA and Wilderness Society WA have also put together some submission notes.
Looking ahead
This month has been bittersweet in terms of staffing for the office. It was a sad goodbye to our incredible Research Office Alison Wright who has moved on to build on her expertise in community housing. As those who had met her would know, she was such a warm, bubbly presence in the office, and a great researcher too. But it’s not all bad news. I’d like to officially welcome our new team member, Connor Slight. Connor is our new digital media wizard. Having previously worked for my colleague Hon Robin Chapple and Senator Jordon Steele-John, Connor brings valuable experience, a bright, positive attitude, and has fit into our team seamlessly. I am so grateful to have him on board with us as we look towards the 2021 WA State Election. Talitha Wolfe, who you may know as my media adviser, has also stepped up to the plate to take on a full-time role of Research Officer and has been kicking goals already in her new position.
Speaking of the election, my team and I are amid some exciting campaign planning. With a nod to the Green New Deal, we’re exploring options to change the WA narrative from profit (and fossil fuels) to people and planet. It’s more important than ever to change people's attitudes surrounding climate change and our future. As we’ve seen with the EPA saga and the State Government’s disregard for a state-based climate policy, we can’t cross our fingers and hope WA Labor will do something. So my team and I will be focusing on changing the narrative as well as pushing the State Government to show real leadership on climate change action while protecting our most vulnerable. There are some exciting things in the pipeline and I am really looking forward to getting them off the ground.
Header photo: Climate campaigners outside WA parliament. Talitha Wolfe
Text photo: At a prepoll with Scott and supporters. Talitha Wolfe