The federal government has set aside billions to address the effects of climate change, but observers claim that there is nothing in the budget that will address the problem.
Tuesday’s federal budget confirmed that $1 billion was committed to protecting the Great Barrier Reef. Funding for research and recycling programs were also part of the overall $2.3 billion sector sector spend.
The Climate Council stated that the proposed government expenditure on climate change initiatives is not justified in light of the increasing threats Australia faces.
“Their own documents show that climate spending – as a percent of total spending – is just 0.3 percent for this year, and the next two years,” Nicki Hutley (economist and Climate Council Councillor) stated.
“Then it drops down to 0.2 percent which is just completely insufficient and unconscionable.”
She also stated that the budget provided significant funding to accelerate polluting hydrocarbon and gas projects, and billions of dollars for disasters such as the recent floods. These are expected to become more frequent and more severe as the climate warms.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg estimates that recovery from the recent NSW floods and Queensland floods will require more than $6 billion in support payments to families, industries and communities.
Ms Hutley stated that “if this is an election budget, it has failed to address the key issue of climate change, which we now know increasing parts of our electorate are concerned about, including in regional seats around NSW, Queensland, and NSW.”
The Australian Conservation Foundation stated that the budget was not a true commitment to the environment, but a mere lip service. Nature is treated as an optional extra.
Matt Rose, a spokesperson for the foundation, said that although the government has allocated $50 Million for koala protection, it has loaned $175 Million to the Olive Downs mine in central Queensland. He also approved the clearing of approximately 5000 hectares worth of koala habitat.
He was happy to spend $1 billion on Great Barrier Reef conservation over nine years, but said it would not be enough if there wasn’t meaningful action on climate change.
Some welcome initiatives included $636 million over six-years to expand the Indigenous Rangers Program and $50 million to conserve Koalas, which were just listed as endangered.
Rose claimed that there is nothing close to what was needed to address habitat loss, species decline, and other issues as outlined in the Samuel review of Australia’s environmental protection laws.
This review revealed that the environment was suffering 20 years from government failures to improve protection system and that Australia was on a path of environmental decline.
Sussan ley, Environment Minister, stated that the budget provided more than $2.3B in additional measures to tackle plastic pollution and help endangered species and the coral reef.
“We continue investing in the delivery of practical outcomes, from a $1 billion transformation of our waste- and recycling industry to funding to restore the environment and our $800 million investment in supporting future of the Great Barrier Reef,” she stated.
The budget also confirms that there are more than $800 millions for Antarctica research, exploration and research.
Australian Associated Press