Climate change
Dr RATNAM (Northern Metropolitan) (12:46): My question is to the Minister for Resources. Minister, currently the government is supporting numerous fossil fuel resource projects across Victoria, including but not limited to extending coal licences for dirty coal-fired power stations, the Western Port gas import hub, a coal-to-hydrogen project and exploring for onshore gas. My question, Minister, is: will you acknowledge that these coal and gas projects will continue to contribute to climate change, leading to rising temperatures and extreme weather events and contributing to mass extinctions?
Members interjecting.
The PRESIDENT: Order! I note that it is asking the minister for an opinion, but I will let the minister respond.
Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Resources) (12:47): Thank you, President, and I thank Dr Ratnam for her question and commentary. As the Minister for Resources, yes, it is my responsibility to approve exploration and mining licences in relation to our resources. There have been some gas releases offshore. But I think the nub of your question is probably better answered by the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, because this government’s investment and commitment to tackling climate change are unprecedented, and we do not shy away from that commitment. In relation to making sure that the industry and homes can continue to be powered, we have to ensure that we have got energy resources being provided to ensure that communities can continue to function. So whilst we are exploring for gas, we are investing in our renewables sector and we hope to reduce our reliance on those other forms of energy production.
Dr RATNAM (Northern Metropolitan) (12:48): Thank you, Minister, for your response. To the point that you believe it is better answered by the minister for climate change, I am encouraging and urging you as a minister in the government that surely there is a lens on climate change and the environment that is put on every decision you make, particularly when we are talking about resources and fossil fuel resources. Last week the IMF reported that climate change poses a threat of extinction, including for humanity. The world’s scientists made it clear last year and again at the recent climate conference that to have any chance of limiting global warming to the Paris agreement goal of 1.5 degrees, the world would need to cut coal use by about two-thirds by 2030. Minister, will you acknowledge these projects are incompatible with a safe future for Victorians, and how do you justify propping up a dying industry with the decisions you are making every day?
Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Resources) (12:49): That was more of a preaching speech without substance than it was a supplementary question. I think I adequately addressed the points that you were trying to make in the chamber today through my substantive answer. I am more than happy to provide you with a detailed run-down of all the projects in the renewables space, and I can assure you that as the Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Regional Development and Minister for Resources I have an eye to climate change and ensure that we are working to the targets that we have said that we are going to meet.