Western Australia is set to become the second Australian Parliament to declare a climate emergency, after the Australian Capital Territory.
Today, The Greens WA spokesperson for climate change, Tim Clifford MLC, will call on the Legislative Council to acknowledge the climate crisis, the impact it is having on Western Australia and its people, and to declare a climate emergency.
Supported by Extinction Rebellion and wider members of the community, who are set to rally in favour of the motion at Parliament House this morning, Mr Clifford will urge all upper house MPs to consider the legacy they want to leave behind.
“This motion is about inter-generational equity,” Mr Clifford said.
“It’s about ensuring our future generations have the same access to a safe, clean planet as we do.
“It’s about ensuring our children and grandchildren don’t bear the economic, social and environmental costs of our apathy.
“If this passes — and I hope it will — this is a massive win for the community. If not, it will clearly demonstrate how serious the major parties and the crossbench are about tackling this existential threat.
“We need an all-of-government mobilisation to protect us from the devastation climate change will, and is, causing. And the first step in doing so is to acknowledge the extent of the situation.”
Other information:
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Extinction Rebellion will be hosting a rally in support of the motion at the Western Australian Parliament from 11am to 12pm.
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Hundreds of members of the public have written letters to upper house MPs urging them to support the motion.
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The public can watch in support from the public gallery, or online, from 1.15pm.
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See the link to the live broadcast here: http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/WebCMS/webcms.nsf/watch-live
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Mr Clifford will be available for comment from 3.30pm.