Debate warms up on Referendum & climate change
9 June 2023
As the weather cools down, the debate is warming up on the Referendum and climate action.
Zali in Parli
Referendum
The Constitution Alteration (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice) Bill 2023 was put to the vote in the House of Representatives and passed 121 to 25. This important piece of legislation finalises the question Australians will be asked to vote on as well as the words that will be added to the constitution, should the referendum be successful.
The Joint Select Committee on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice Referendum was tasked by both the House of Representatives and the Senate to review and report on the legislative provisions that, if passed, will be considered at referendum for incorporation into the Constitution.
Click here to read a summary of the key commentary within the report
Closer to home, please check out our new initiative Warringah for the Voice and read more details below on how you can join us.
Climate & Environment Action
75% emissions reduction by 2035
While many countries are accelerating their transition to clean technologies, Australia currently ranks among the bottom 10 nations for climate change action assessed by the Climate Change Performance Index . To turn our performance around and set Australia up as a renewable superpower I have launched a campaign calling for government, policy makers, industry and business to accelerate the emissions reduction ambition to 75% reduction by 2035 and urgently focus on the key warming accelerator, being methane emissions.
Sign up to the newly updated website to show your support.
To mark the launch, I have held a number of events in Warringah and in Parliament, you can read more about that in the events section below.
Greenwashing and harmful advertising
In addition to the 75 by 35 campaign, I have also questioned the Prime Minister on whether he is greenwashing Australians given his government’s continuing sponsorship of fossil fuel projects and approval of coal mine extensions despite all the rhetoric on climate action.
I also spoke about the danger of fossil fuel companies and others greenwashing their image in the debate about harmful marketing strategies raised by Dr Sophie Scamps MP. View speech
Budget and the environment
I called out the Government for the lack of investment in the environment in the latest Federal Budget, despite the various international commitments made by the Minister including to end extinctions of native species and be nature positive by 2030. View speech
Other Speeches
Family Law Bill
I spoke in support of the Family Law Bill introduced to improve the operation of the Family Courts in accordance with long standing recommendations of the Australian Law Reform Commission including the removal of the presumption and amendments to codify the precedent established through the Rice and Asplund trial. I also moved amendments to clarify that in order to reopen court orders, the court must consider the evidence first, prior to any new hearing to prevent further damage to families and costs.
View speech and amendment
Northern Australian Infrastructure Facility Bill
The Government is increasing the funding for the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) which as the name suggests funds infrastructure in the north of the country. This facility has historically been used to fund infrastructure for many fossil fuel projects including in the Beetaloo Basin. I moved amendments to prevent that from happening in the future. While these were unsuccessful in the House, I will be working with Senate colleagues to get support for the amendments there. Disappointingly, the Albanese Government and the Coalition continue to vote and work together to fund and expand fossil fuel extraction.
View speech and amendment
To keep up to date with all my Parliament updates between emails, click here
To view my voting record, click here
Events
WARRINGAH LAUNCH
My campaign was officially launched in Warringah at Taronga Zoo’s Auditorium to a full house of local residents who came to hear from a panel of experts including Lesley Hughes, Climate Council, Anna Freeman, Clean Energy Council, Tim Buckley, Climate Energy Finance and Saul Griffith, Scientist and Author.
Key outtakes from the panel included:
- The science is unequivocal; unless we reduce carbon emissions, we are on track for catastrophic warming – but there is still time for action.
- Countries around the world are making the transition to renewable energy, and Australia is well placed to be a leading exporter of renewable energy
- But time is ticking, and we need to urgently ramp up our actions – starting with ambitious targets, but robust policy and clear messaging will be the key to getting us there.
If you would like to learn more about this event, you can view my speech in parliament, or you can watch the full event recording
CANBERRA PARLIAMENTARY BRIEFING
In Canberra I co-hosted a briefing with Senator David Pocock to introduce launch my campaign to increase Australia’s emissions reduction targets to 75% reduction by 2035 to Parliament.
The briefing hosted a panel of business, science and industry experts who shared their insights and perspectives on the challenges and opportunities associated with climate action. This included:
- Professor Nerilie Abram - Professor of Climate Science, Australian National University (ANU)
- Martijn Wilder AM - Founder and CEO of Pollination
- Charlotte Hanson - Climate Policy Consultant to the Environmental Defense Fund
- Professor Frank Jotzo - Head of Energy, ANU Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions
- Anna Freeman - Policy Director at the Clean Energy Council
The forum called for government, policymakers, industry, and business to accelerate the emissions reduction ambition to ‘75 by 35’ and urgently focus on the key warming accelerator, being methane emissions. Click through to read more perspectives from the evening
PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDS OF CLIMATE ACTION
And finally, it was fantastic to host a special event in Parliament with my co-chairs Bridget Archer and Josh Burns to get a geopolitical perspective on climate action from their excellencies, the British High Commissioner Vicki Treadell, US Ambassador Caroline Kennedy, German Ambassador Dr Markus Ederer, and EU Ambassador Gabriele Visentin.
There was great discussion about international climate policy, from ambitious targets like the UK’s 78% reduction by 2035, incentives to accelerate transition through the US’s Inflation Reduction Act, Germany’s Net Zero target by 2045 (80% by 2040) and enhancing the competitiveness of Europe’s Net Zero industry through the EU’s Green Deal.
The updates were both frank and insightful. While each country has its own unique opportunities and challenges to reach Net Zero and take decisive climate action, there were common themes. Read more about these here.
Other Events
Warringah for the Voice
My team and I have been working to share knowledge around Warringah about how Referendums work, the history of the Uluru Dialogues and why enshrining an Indigenous Voice to Parliament has been proposed as an important measure to help close the gap and improve the lives of Indigenous Australians.
In late May, we launched Warringah for the Voice, a network of volunteers and community members who wish to engage our community by facilitating conversations, holding events, and providing information. Convened and supported by me in my capacity as the Independent Member for Warringah, Warringah for the Voice welcomes all members of the community who would like to support the YES vote.
Are you interested in joining us? For more information and to sign up as a volunteer, visit my website here
If you are a local community group or business that would like support to engage your members and staff, please contact us at [email protected]
NDIS Forum
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a wonderful initiative but navigating it can be complex and stressful when things don't go smoothly. Our Electorate Office Team supports constituents with NDIS queries, which is why we invited NDIS Minister Bill Shorten to address the questions of Warringah participants, carers, and providers at a Community Forum in Manly. Productive discussions highlighted issues like transport accessibility, processing times, and assessment inconsistencies, which the Minister and our team will be following up.
We also explored opportunities for NDIS improvements, including enhancing communication and potentially extending plans to ease administrative burdens.
Click through to watch the recording of the event.
The Push-up Challenge
Over the month of June, I have joined forces with other members of the crossbench to push for better mental health - one push-up at a time!
The Push-up challenge is raising funds to support mental health and suicide prevention services.
Our team, NotThePushovers, will be supporting Lifeline. If you would like to support us, you can donate here.
Find more information about upcoming events here.
If you’d like to join Zali’s community of volunteers, you can join here.
Out and About Snapshot
Manly Markets
Thanks to all who dropped by our Market Stall in Manly on Sunday. There was a really great buzz with many people stopping to chat, fill out our Voice to Parliament survey, pick up information on recycling, or collect a YES badge - produced at the stall by Warringah for the Voice volunteers.
If you missed us this time, why not stop by in July? The team and I are at the Manly Markets on the first Sunday of every month. Keep an eye on my socials for more details.
Defence of Sydney
10 am on Friday June 2 marked the 81st Anniversary of the Defence of Sydney Commemorative Service. The Service honours those who served in the defence of Sydney during World War II. It is held at the Defence of Sydney Monument, North Head, Manly on the anniversary of the attack on Sydney Harbour by the Imperial Japanese Navy in May/June 1942. Some refer to it as ‘the Battle of Sydney.’
I was pleased to attend the service this morning a lay a wreath in honour of those who defended our country.
School Visits
I have had the pleasure of visiting some of Warringah’s local schools. At Freshwater Senior Campus (pictured) and St Augustine’s College I was invited to speak about Referendums generally, the Australian Constitution and what’s been proposed for the Voice Referendum scheduled later this year. At Manly Selective, I spent time with legal studies students, discussing workplace law and how legislation is created.
It was wonderful to hear the voices of Warringah’s young people – they have such bright perspectives. Many of the year 12s I spoke with also realised that if the Referendum is in October or November this year they will be 18, so planned to quickly enrol to vote.
The Newsroom
Sky News - Independent MP's call for Australia to become a leader in climate change
Channel 9 - 12 months since the election
Network Ten - Harmful Advertising and Greenwashing
Open Grants - Sports Focus
Surf Life Saving Australia Inclusive Beaches Equipment Grant 2023/24
Grants of up to $1,000 are available for affiliated Surf Life Saving Clubs offering disability inclusion programs during the 2023/24 season. Applications close 16 June 2023.
2023 Community Grants Program
The Australian Women's Football Fund has been established to support the growth of women and girls in community football (AFL) by:
- Creating safe and inclusive environments
- Increasing participation for women and girls (on and off the field)
- Increasing participation opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls, and women and girls from culturally diverse communities.
Entry is open to community clubs or associations with grants of up to $5,000 available. Applications close 30th June 2023.
Australian Womens Football Fund Community Grants Program
Local Sporting and Local Para Champions Round 1, 2023-24
The Local Sporting Champions program provides financial assistance for coaches, officials and competitors aged 12-18 participating in state, national or international championships. If successful, applicants will receive $500-$750 towards the cost of attending their championships. Applications close 31st July.
Please get in touch at [email protected] if you would like to be included on our database for regular grants updates.
Do you like this page?