Independent MP Zali Steggall calls on modern Liberals to support her proposed climate change bill

Zali Steggall urges ‘modern Liberals’ to support her proposed climate change bill: independent MP plans a ‘people-powered’ public campaign for a conscience vote similar to the one for same-sex marriage, Sarah Martin Chief political correspondent, Wed 8 Jan 2020 The independent MP Zali Steggall is calling on self-styled “modern Liberals” to support legislation to establish a new climate change framework, warning them to ignore the views of their constituents “at their peril”.

Steggall, who toppled Tony Abbott in the Sydney seat of Warringah at the May 2019 election, largely on a platform of climate change action, is finalising draft legislation for a “national climate change framework” that sets out a roadmap for Australia to transition to a decarbonised economy.

The legislation is modelled on the UK’s Climate Change Act, passed in 2008, and mirrors framework laws in place in New Zealand and Ireland. Germany and Fiji are considering similar draft legislation.

Steggall aims to begin consultation on the draft bill later this month, and wants to introduce legislation in March, backed by a public campaign calling for a conscience vote in parliament.

Steggall would not reveal full details of the planned public campaign, but said she hoped it would be a similar “people-powered” movement to the same-sex marriage campaign that successfully galvanised support for a yes vote.

“My goal is to make sure all the people worried about bushfires and climate change, and drought and planning and agriculture in regional areas, and air pollution in urban areas – that they all be aware that this is on the table, and that this is an opportunity,” Steggall told Guardian Australia.

She said so-called modern Liberals, such as Dave Sharma in Wentworth, Tim Wilson in Goldstein and Jason Falinski in Mackellar, should ensure they put the interests of their electorate first and consider crossing the floor if the government opposed the bill as expected……..

Under Steggall’s bill, a statutory long-term target of net zero emissions by 2050 would be set, requiring five-yearly economy-wide carbon budgets to meet the goal…..

Steggall has already begun talking to other independents about the legislation.

The Centre Alliance MP Rebekha Sharkie said she would support the bill, and called on moderate Liberals to do the same…… https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jan/08/zali-steggall-urges-modern-liberals-to-support-her-proposed-climate-change-bill

January 9, 2020 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, climate change - global warming, politics

No comments yet.

Antinuclear

Australian news, and some related international items