Queensland premier introduces bill for 75% carbon reduction target by 2035

The Guardian

Queensland parliament’s gallery is packed as the premier, Steven Miles, introduces a bill legislating a 75% carbon reduction target by 2035.

Miles says:

The targets we’re setting to reduce emissions by 75% by 2035 are based on science and meeting internationally agreed targets.

But more importantly, they will provide industry with the certainty to invest in converting existing industry to renewables and attracting new industries here. These targets are crucial to lock in the investment needed for our economic future.

The clean economy jobs bill will now go to a parliamentary committee for scrutiny.

Miles says the target is “responsible, credible and critical” and “positions Queensland as a world leader on the pathway to net zero”.

He pitches the bill as a boost for jobs and guaranteeing certainty for industry.

If the world is to reach net zero by 2050, Queensland needs to play our part.

Miles promised to introduce the bill in one of his first acts as premier after taking the top job in December. Green issues are a main personal and political priority for the former environment minister who once campaigned as “Miles; better for the reef”.

Personally I first became interested in climate change in 2007 when Kim was expecting our son Sam. Until then, to be honest, I was a bit dismissive of conservation issues, instead more motivated by social and economic justice concerns ...

I came to realise then, though, that climate change threatens the opportunities, jobs and lives I wanted for our future family. Since then, it’s been an essential political objective for me.

The opposition has yet to declare its position on the bill.