The Victorian Greens say Melbourne's warmest winter on record and warnings of one of the state's most severe fire seasons in decades are another reminder that Victoria cannot afford to go backwards on climate action.
Melbourne has recorded its warmest winter since records began in 1855, while the Bureau of Meteorology says Victoria experienced one of its warmest starts to spring.
Fire authorities have also warned of elevated bushfire risk across parts of Victoria, with the coming fire season shaping up as one of the most severe in 25 years.
Liberals and One Nation are campaigning to keep coal burning and dismantle renewable energy projects, while Labor continues approving new gas drilling is weakening its ambition on climate.
The Greens are calling for Victoria to accelerate the transition away from coal and gas and replace it with cheap, publicly owned renewable energy.
As stated by the Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell:
"Winter isn't supposed to feel like spring. Melbourne has just had its hottest winter on record, and now communities are being warned to brace for a dangerous fire season. For Victorians who have lived through Black Summer, these warnings are terrifyingly familiar.
"We're watching our seasons change in real time, and yet we've got three other parties in Victoria, Labor, the Liberals and One Nation who all want to keep opening new fossil fuels that will drive up energy bills and climate pollution.
"The Liberals and One Nation want more coal. Labor is opening up more gas drilling. All three are taking Victoria in the wrong direction at exactly the moment we need to move faster.
"The Greens are the only party going into this election with a plan to stop Victoria going backwards on climate. We'll end new coal and gas, massively expand publicly owned renewable energy and make the big polluters driving the climate crisis pay their fair share."
