CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY —
LOW-CARBON TRANSITION
696. Hon TIM CLIFFORD to the Minister for Environment:
I
refer to tabled paper 2783 tabled on 13 June, specifically the reference to the
evaluation by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation's
climate change unit of options to support Western Australia's
low-carbon transition.
(1) Given the
minister's recent comments in The West Australian rejecting
plans for a carbon tax, can the minister confirm the climate change unit is
still evaluating the establishment of a carbon abatement fund underpinned by
industry contributions to support WA's low-carbon transition?
(2) What other options is the
climate change unit evaluating to support WA's low-carbon transition?
Hon
STEPHEN DAWSON replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1)–(2) As
the honourable member would be aware, I announced the development of a new,
coordinated climate policy for Western Australia on 5 December 2018. The policy
will be developed in a consultative manner acknowledging the need for business
certainty. The McGowan government remains focused on creating jobs and economic
development in Western Australia and this will continue to be the key priority.
A range of options and issues is currently being worked through and considered
by government to support Western Australia's low-carbon transition.
Many of these will form part of an issues paper to be consulted on with
stakeholders and the community. The paper will seek the views of stakeholders
and the community on the challenges and opportunities for Western Australia and
will be important in finalising the state's climate policy. I anticipate
the issues paper will be released in coming months.