This afternoon, ACT Labor backed away from the ACT Government's agreement to phase out wood heaters, choosing political expediency over protecting Canberrans' health.
In 2023, the ACT Government with then Greens Environment Minister Rebecca Vassarotti, formally committed through Cabinet to phasing out wood heaters in line with the legislated fossil fuel phase-out by 2045.
But today, Labor pretended this decision never happened. Instead of standing by their own cabinet decision and progressing the work to make it a reality, they've joined with the Liberals to vote against running community consultation on how to do the phase-out well.
"For two years, ACT Labor has basked in the praise of being 'nation-leading' on this wood heater phase-out, but it seems without the Greens in government, they're not willing to back words with actions," said Miss Nuttall.
"Every single winter my constituents choke on smoke that hangs in the Tuggeranong Valley, making families sick in their own homes. People with asthma and chronic illness are forced to shut their doors, hide inside, and hope the air won't send them to hospital.
"Across Canberra, a whopping 65,000 people are living with a respiratory disease. Research shows that wood heater smoke kills up to 63 Canberrans every single year. That's 63 preventable deaths, and instead of taking action, the Labor Party is looking away.
"Today, Labor chose side with the Liberals and turn a blind eye, instead channelling their inner Lord Farquaad with a message for Canberrans not dissimilar to the Shrek line 'Some of you may die, but that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make'.
"Canberrans want support to switch to clean electric heating, but instead of helping households make the transition, Labor has literally ripped the money out of the budget. The Minister isn't just turning a blind eye, she's scrapping the work altogether.
"Today all I called for was transparency on air quality, for public consultation on phasing out wood heaters and for a plan to deliver it. Instead, Labor's Environment Minister flat-out denied this was ever even on the agenda. That was dishonest, and a blatant abandonment of our duty to uphold Canberrans' right to a healthy environment.
"Many Canberrans will be left asking what exactly Labor thinks they were elected to do given this is yet another progressive project in a long line that they've backtracked on this year."
Background
- The ACT's Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment said, "there is no safe level of exposure to air pollution" and recommended the ACT Government phase out wood heaters with a target date for replacement with electric alternatives, as has been done for fossil fuel gas.
- The ACT Government's official response, which was endorsed by Cabinet, agreed in-principle to that recommendation, saying it is timely and appropriate to analyse options, costs and timeframes in line with the transition away from fossil fuel gas by 2045.
- The ACT Government's woodfire heating website tells Canberrans, "Wood smoke can cause health problems like asthma, chronic lung disease, heart problems and premature births and deaths. By using a wood heater, you are releasing harmful pollutants into the air. In winter, wood fire heater smoke is the main cause of air pollution in Canberra
