In response to Labor's win in the Queensland state election, Australian Conservation Foundation campaigner Jason Lyddieth said:
"Congratulations to Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor. Climate change is the biggest challenge for the Queensland government in this next term.
"Queensland is right on the frontline of climate change, with forecasts of more extreme weather events and greater threats to the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree and our way of life.
"Of the two major parties, Labor took a stronger suite of climate and energy policies to voters this election, but it still has work to do.
"Labor is behind on delivering commitments from its previous term - including the 50% by 2030 renewable energy target - and needs to seriously lift its game over this term to seize the opportunity to transition to a jobs-strong, safe climate future.
"It will be critical for Labor to quickly fulfil its commitments on renewable energy zones, a $500 million Renewable Energy Fund, the funding boost of the Reef Assist Program, installing rooftop solar and improving energy efficiency at hospitals, $60 million for protected areas, $10 million extra funding for green hydrogen and a plan to set a path to net zero emissions.
"Labor will need to fulfil these promises and more. Burning coal and gas is the number one driver of climate change and Queensland remains heavily invested in those industries.
"The world is moving away from coal and gas; Queensland needs to prepare for the future.
"The increase in the Greens' representation in the Queensland parliament highlights Queenslanders' increasing concern about climate damage.
"To protect our natural treasures like the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree Rainforest, the Wet Tropics and our way of life, our leaders need to help communities, workers and their families transition out of coal and gas into new opportunities and industries of the future.
"We commend Deb Frecklington for engaging with the Queensland Community Alliance's 'Maroonprint' - a plan for COVID recovery - and for putting forward a $80 million protected areas proposal that was welcomed by conservationists.
"Queensland could and should be a renewable energy superpower. As we recover from the pandemic it is so important for the government to choose a path for Queensland that creates good jobs, helps tackle the climate crisis and creates a fairer, healthier, more resilient state."
