One year on from the publication of the first Tasmanian State of Environment Report in 15 years, a review of the 2024 Report by the Tasmanian Planning Commission has been released.
The Planning Commission's review again highlights the aim of State of Environment Reporting, which is to inform government decisions that impact Tasmanians who rely on a clean, healthy environment for wellbeing.
The review affirms these reports are essential and should be undertaken by an independent body, at arm's length from government, and calls for better data, inter-agency coordination, and the critical need for a commitment to ongoing funding by the government.
In response to the 2024 SOE Report's dire findings, the government agreed to four priority areas, including developing a long-term vision and strategy for Tasmania's environment, as recommended by the Tasmanian Planning Commission, to safeguard the long-term environmental health of the state.
However, the government noted this is to be confirmed through the 2025-26 budget process.
"Unfortunately, since the review concluded, there is no dedicated resource in the Planning Commission due to a lack of ongoing funding," said Eloise Carr, Director, The Australia Institute Tasmania.
"Reporting requirements mean ongoing data collection and whole of government coordination is necessary throughout the reporting cycle, especially when improvements are needed to modernise the process, as has been identified in this review.
"Insufficient funding led to a 15-year gap between the last two reports, despite the law requiring them every 5 years. Will the government commit ongoing funding in the November interim budget? Or are Tasmanians facing the realistic possibility the next reporting deadline will also be missed?
"We commend the Planning Commission for recognising the need to strengthen the next SOE Report, particularly through improved engagement with Tasmanian Aboriginal people. However, Australia Institute research shows the next State of Environment Report also needs to address major data gaps, and report on human wellbeing, United Nations frameworks, climate change impacts and Tasmanian Aboriginal peoples' rights and knowledge throughout its assessments, in line with the practices of other jurisdictions.
"Tasmanians are still waiting for the government to prioritise funding to achieve the commitments they made last year, in response to the dire findings of the first State of Environment Report in 15 years.
"Will the November 'interim' budget address these commitments? Environmental outcomes, including for human wellbeing, depend on prioritising funding to meet government commitments in response to the State of Environment Report recommendations?"
