Tasmania’s Climate Change minister has tabled a Private Members Bill to reduce carbon emissions.
Greens minister Cassy O’Connor wants stronger targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Her private members’ bill introduces an interim target to reduce emissions by 40 per cent below 1990 levels within a decade and for the state to be carbon neutral by 2050.
The existing target is to be 60 per cent below 1990 levels by 2050.
Ms O’Connor says she was forced to table the Bill outside her portfolio because her Labor Cabinet colleagues will not support the move.
“So that’s why I’ve sought to have this decided on the floor of the House,” she said.
But she will face an uphill battle.
The changes will not succeed in the Lower House without the Liberals’ support.
Ms O’Connor says the ACT has also set a 2020 deadline for a 40 per cent reduction in emissions.
State Parliament does not sit again until March next year.
