COASTAL EROSION
879. Hon TIM CLIFFORD to the Leader of the House
representing the Premier:
I refer to the Premier's
comments made in the other place on Tuesday, 13 August, specifically regarding
coastal erosion and the suggestion it must be tackled by all state, local and
commonwealth governments.
Will the Premier please explain why
this government has conceded that coastal erosion should be tackled by all levels
of government, yet climate change—a cause of coastal erosion—is
solely the responsibility of the federal government?
Hon SUE
ELLERY replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
Section 51(xxxix) of the
Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1901 enables the federal Parliament
to enact laws that implement an international agreement or convention,
including the Paris Climate Agreement. The McGowan government acknowledges the
need to adapt to climate impacts and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in
Western Australia to protect our environment, economy and community. In
December 2018, the intention to create a new state climate policy was
announced. This policy will be developed to draw together and build on
climate-related initiatives already underway, including measures to enhance
renewable energy, secure our water supplies, accelerate the uptake of electric vehicles
and unlock our state's significant carbon sequestration potential.