Nothing to say we’ll hit zero without changes: Kean
ENVIRONMENT Minister Matt Kean has admitted Premier Dominic Perrottet wrongly claimed his government was on track to hit the net zero emissions by 2050 without taking any further action.
Mr Perrottet said on Tuesday morning that the government would achieve its goal without having to change any of its policies currently in place.
“There are discussions and debates around the country in terms of net zero. Well, we didn’t have to change one policy setting to achieve that aim,” he said.
“That gives you an indication that our policies are leading the nation.”
He made the same assertion on October 5: “The great thing about this government when it comes to meeting our net zero target is that we are completely on track without any policy change at all.
“I remember when Minister Kean came to cabinet in relation to our position around net zero. The reality was at this stage, the NSW government does not need to change any policy settings. And why? Because of our strong track record in this space.
“When it comes to climate change and the environment, I believe our government is not just nation leading, but world leading in that space, and I’m very proud to be part of that government.” But on Tuesday morning Energy Minister and Treasurer Mr Kean told a parliamentary budget estimates hearing a different version of events.
When asked by Labor MP Rose
Jackson if the Premier’s claim was wrong, Mr Kean said: “Well, I mean, there will have to be additional policies.”
Ms Jackson said: “Does he (the Premier) understand that policies will need to change? Because that’s actually quite a fundamental issue if he thinks that we’re going to get there on current policy settings, and we’re not, that’s a pretty significant misunderstanding.”
The hearing was also told that a $193 million plan to save koalas in NSW will be announced “very soon”.