Dr Monique Ryan MP - Climate Ambition

In an age of government climate minimalism, how can the cross bench help raise climate ambition? Listen to an inside view on climate policy, advocacy and effective community representation.

0:00 Ministerial discretion and FOI
0:35 Climate minimalism - last term appeared to be a good start, but right now is more of a bleak time for those of us who care about climate action
2:06 "very disappointed" - Labor climate policy this term - poor targets, promised consultation on nature laws did not happen.
3:39 EPBC and nature laws - agreement with Tanya Plibersek had been overridden, EPBC Act rushed through
4:28 Ministerial discretion and FOI - this would allow the Minister to invoke Cabinet-in-confidence rules for decisions in the national interest, and wouldn't have to explain to the Australian people the basis for the decision.
6:23 No effective opposition - Liberals and Nationals not likely to offer effective opposition on climate in this term of parliament - up to cross bench to keep pressure on a government that has a supermajority that is "a mile wide and an inch thick".
7:32 Cross bench seizing opportunities - working hard, using procedure, to look for significant areas that would benefit climate action
8:38 Cross bench areas of interest and impact - specific areas, integrity measures, Dr Ryan's Primate Member's bill on lobbying to avoid situations like Christopher Pyne taking up a position as a defence lobbyist nine days after leaving his position as Defence Minister. Also mapping out specific areas of interest on climate - in this term "mine is climate and health", hence amendments and interest in air and water quality and health impacts of built structures.
10:56 Australian Centre for Disease Control - working on health impacts of climate change, gambling, and pandemic preparedness
11:34 Decarbonisation of transport - area with the fastest rising emissions, need to remove luxury car discount which incentivises mega ute purchases, and modifying the fuel tax credit scheme which pays polluters not to decarbonise.
13:00 Community representation - Dr Ryan takes advice from a variety of local and larger climate groups as well as many experts in working to create evidence based climate policy.