Environment Victoria budget media statement

Today’s Victorian budget maintains the Andrews government’s leadership on cutting greenhouse pollution and accelerating a just clean energy transition – but there are worrying gaps in biodiversity conservation and tackling the extinction crisis, said Jono La Nauze, CEO of Environment Victoria:

“This budget continues the vital task of cutting greenhouse pollution and positioning Victoria to embrace the economic and job opportunities that come with climate action. At the same time, it leaves unaddressed the growing extinction threat to our unique native plants and animals.

“Victoria’s record build of solar and wind generation is cutting greenhouse emissions and saving Victorians money. The government’s recent announcement of a plan to build Australia’s first 9-gigawatt offshore wind farms will continue this trend.

“Low cost renewable energy is shielding Victorian households from power bill increases when compared to more coal dependent states like NSW and Queensland.

“Environment Victoria welcomes the new $7m Low Carbon Manufacturing Grant Program to help manufacturers play their part in the energy transition.

“We note that the Victorian government is yet to respond to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Ecosystem Decline, released last year. The inquiry found that funding is insufficient to reverse the serious long-term decline in Victoria’s biodiversity, leaving the state at risk of increased extinction of native plants and animals.

“Disappointingly, the budget contains no measures to address this shortfall, and it appears that there are no robust initiatives to protect our declining biodiversity.

“Our expectation is that the Government’s response to this inquiry and Victorian Auditor General’s Office report, and in the lead-up to the State election, will be addressed and accompanied with a substantial funding package for Victoria’s endangered native forests and biodiversity.

“We welcome the announcement that Melton will be Victoria’s first electric hospital, and that Frankston hospital is undergoing renovation towards partial electrification. This is an important step towards reducing reliance on expensive and polluting gas and transitioning to a renewable-powered future,” said Environment Victoria CEO Jono La Nauze.