Fixing broken environment laws and tackling climate change
The natural landscapes and ecosystems of the South West drive tourism, fuel our agricultural food bowl, and influence our way of life. Weak environmental laws at state and federal level, coupled with unchecked development and climate change are putting our unique biodiversity at risk.
Climate change is the defining global challenge of our time. We have a responsibility to tackle climate change locally, through mitigation and adaption, with long-term commitment to the transition to net-zero. We can have a strong and diverse local economy without destroying the natural environments that draw people to the South West.
I’m committed to delivering evidence-based solutions and honest, collaborative leadership to ensure strong environmental protections are in place to stop the extinction, biodiversity and climate crises.
Here’s how climate change and poor environmental protections impact the South West:
- Reduced rain fall, rising temperatures and increasing bushfire intensity threaten native vegetation and wildlife
- Developer profits are prioritised over the pristine environment that shape our neighbourhoods and tourism economy
- Changing weather patterns reduce crop yields and make it harder for farmers to plan their futures
- Governments and developers clear fell land and ignore the concerns of locals to make way for large-scale infrastructure projects
- Globally-significant biodiversity is lost and critically endangered species like black cockatoos and possums have their homes destroyed
As your Independent MP, I’ll work to balance the needs of our growing region with protections for our region’s natural assets.
Championing the South West’s natural beauty to drive job creation
We need community consultation and evidence-based policy to protect our unique biodiversity while investing in eco-tourism, sustainable agriculture and new industries to drive our regional economy.
Strengthening environmental protection laws
I’ll fight to reform legislation that protects biodiversity and threatened species, ensures transparent assessments of development projects, and applies real penalties for environmental destruction. We need laws that protect neighbourhood green space, maintain tree canopy, and conserve water resources. We require a robust, independent environmental department with power to reject harmful projects.
Supporting sustainable agriculture
Through funding and targeted programs, I’ll ensure farmers are supported to adopt emissions-reducing, regenerative practices that bolster soil health, reduce water waste and diversify farming business models.
Establishing community benefit guarantees
The renewable energy transition is already underway in regional Australia. We need a roadmap for the South West that details how our communities can engage and meaningfully benefit from large-scale renewable energy projects built in our region.
Helping households electrify
One in three households has solar panels yet few can afford batteries to store the energy they generate. I’ll push for subsidies for household batteries and electrification of homes, farms and businesses. Everyone should benefit from lower power bills, reliable energy and less reliance on fossil fuels.
Demanding leadership on reducing emissions
We need to do more to reach Net Zero faster than predicted. The major parties must be transparent about their 2035 targets, so Australians can make an informed choice at the election. I support an emissions reduction target of 65-75% by 2035.