Victorian Tourism Minister, Steve Dimopoulos MP, has slammed the Coalition’s election pledge to legislate an interim emissions reduction target.
Victorian Liberals leader, Matthew Guy, announced on Sunday that if his government is victorious at the state election in November, they will legislate a 50 percent reduction in emissions by 2030.
The proposal is in line with the Andrews government’s target to cut emissions by 2030, but goes a step further by making it law.
The Coalition would also fund a $1 billion strategy to support clean hydrogen, if elected.
“The Liberals and Nationals have a sensible plan and real solutions to build the energy system of the future – meaning more reliable, cheaper and clean power for all Victorians,” Mr Guy said at a press conference following the announcement.
In response, Mr Dimopoulos said there was no way Victorians could take the Coalition seriously on climate change.
“I’ve got to say, there is no way the Victorian community will believe that the Liberal opposition in Victoria is in any way serious about climate change and clean energy. They have spent the last eight years fighting against every measure,” Mr Dimopoulos said, according to The Age.
“Five minutes to midnight, they want to make a promise about investment.”
Meanwhile, the federal Labor government is seeking to legislate its newly unveiled 43 percent emissions cut by 2030, when parliament returns at the end of this month.
Net-zero reduction by 2050 has already been legislated in Victoria.
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Source: The Age.
