A revolution appears to be occurring at a state level in the Liberal Party.
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It seems clear that Premier Peter Gutwein was making a statement when he named himself Tasmania's first Liberal Climate Change Minister.
Tasmania will be energy self-sufficient by 2022 and, with bold policy initiatives, can set an example for the rest of Australia due to the fact that about 93 per cent of our power is already generated from renewable sources like hydro dams and variable sources like wind and solar power.
IN OTHER NEWS:
"We have to accept we now have a more volatile climate ... obviously we have challenges that we need to take on," Mr Gutwein said at a press conference on Friday where he unveiled his new Cabinet.
He's the latest in a growing list of senior state Liberal MPs from a number of jurisdictions to take a leadership role in moving to address climate change.
We've seen New South Wales Environment Minister Matt Kean criticise his federal Liberal counterparts for not leading from the front when it comes to lowering emissions.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has hit back at Mr Kean, saying "most of the federal Cabinet wouldn't even know who Matt Kean was". He won't be able to say that about Mr Gutwein.
Last week, Victorian Liberal leader Michael O'Brien called for the Coalition to implement "sensible" emissions targets.
It came after he launched an ambitious policy to move Victoria towards sending zero waste to landfill.
Federally, the Liberal Party and its National Party colleagues have been paralysed by the climate question, with inertia being their default position, despite attempts from moderates to change the status quo (cf. Malcolm Turnbull).
[Premier Peter Gutwein is] the latest in a growing list of senior state Liberal MPs from a number of jurisdictions to take a leadership role in moving to address climate change.
The bushfire crisis currently engulfing the country has thrown a stark light on Australia's sub-par contribution to the global effort to tackle climate change.
In order to meet an international commitment made at the Paris climate conference in 2015 - to cut 2005 levels of greenhouse gas emissions by 26-28 per cent by 2030 - Australia (which is the second-biggest exporter of coal in the world) will have to utilise carryover credits from its Kyoto Protocol commitments.
It's a creative accounting approach that's been globally condemned as one that could set an unfortunate precedent.
And now, state Liberal MPs from across the nation, counting a Premier among their ranks, are sending a message to the PM:
If you won't do something, then maybe we'll have to do it for you.
Rob Inglis
Rob Inglis is a reporter with The Examiner, covering state and federal politics. He is based in Hobart.
Rob Inglis is a reporter with The Examiner, covering state and federal politics. He is based in Hobart.
