- Organisations have called on Scott Morrison to acknowledge the role climate change has played in the most recent floods and to develop a plan for future extreme weather events
- The Climate Council criticised the Morrison government for not heeding advice of scientists, who have been warning for decades of worsening extreme weather in Australia
- It suggested the government form immediate plans to reduce emissions, prepare emergency services, and rebuild communities for future changes in climate
- ACOSS made similar demands to the government, highlighting the need for a comprehensive disaster resilience plan
- It flagged the need for a national review into affordable and accessible insurance, in order to support those experiencing financial hardship
Organisations have called on Scott Morrison to acknowledge the role climate change has played in the most recent floods and to develop a plan for future extreme weather events.
The Climate Council criticised the Morrison government for not heeding advice of scientists, who have been warning for decades of worsening extreme weather in Australia.
Chief Executive Officer Amanda McKenzie slammed the government for failing to mention the impacts of worsening climate change.
“The Morrison government is failing to step up to the climate challenge, and prepare communities for worsening extreme weather. Now, tragically, Australians are paying the price,” she said.
The organisation called on the government to announce further steps in protecting the country against subsequent climate events.
This included plans to reduce emissions, preparing emergency services, and rebuiliding communities in a way which accounts for future changes in climate.
The Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) made similar demands to the government, highlighting the need for a comprehensive disaster resilience plan.
The institution also flagged the need for a national review into affordable and accessible insurance, in order to support those experiencing financial hardship.
Chief Executive Officer Dr Cassandra Goldie said many people have lost everything with no financial means to recover.
“The rise of devastating floods and fires experienced in recent years across Australia is set to become more frequent because of climate change, and requires an urgent rethink of insurance to avoid catastrophic social and financial losses,” she said.
“With an increase in extreme weather events, insurance premiums are rising exponentially becoming unaffordable for the average household and beyond the reach of someone on a low-income.”
The appeals come as New South Wales braces for more heavy rainfall over the next two days with warnings of flash flooding.