Sheed calls on the Federal Government to “wake up” to climate change

Independent Member for Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed called on the Federal Government to look to state governments, local councils, community groups, and school students, who are leading the charge in climate change action.

In Parliament this week, Ms Sheed told the Federal Government to “wake up” to its archaic attitude on climate change adaption, which was a stark contrast to the positive action being taken at a local and state level.

Ms Sheed pointed out that every Australian state and territory government was proactive in relation to climate change.

“Every single state government in Australia has adopted the net zero emissions target for 2050, so even though the Federal Government does not see fit to do that, the states are doing it,” she said.

“Even the National Farmers Federation is on board for this – they have been very strong in saying that this is the way forward.

“So, when the National Party say at a Federal level they are talking about “our people”, I think they are talking about the mining industry, because they are not talking about farmers and people who live in regional communities.

“Farmers in our region should be worried about the fact that tariffs may be placed on their export products by the European Union and other countries as they move towards and commit to net zero emissions by 2050, but we have a Federal Government that is not doing that.

Ms Sheed told the parliament that community members, students, local governments, and renewable energy companies were playing their part in highlighting – and taking real action – to counter the effects of climate change.

Speaking about last month’s School Strikes for Climate demonstration in Shepparton, Ms Sheed said “these young people were keen to point out to us that there is no ‘planet B’.”

“For them it is a real issue and they are acting within their schools and within our community,” Ms Sheed said.

Ms Sheed commended Greater Shepparton City Council for declaring a climate emergency, drawing up an urban forest strategy and continuing to move to more electric vehicles for its fleet.

Ms Sheed told parliament that both Greater Shepparton City Council and the Moira Shire were part of a group of 46 councils who have signed the Victorian Energy Collaboration, which was the largest ever emissions reduction project by local government in Australia.

Media contact

Elaine Cooney 0447 820 466 │elaine.cooney@parliament.vic.gov.au

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