Legislative Council Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2) 54 2 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Question Time Climate Change Climate Change The Hon. R.A. SIMMS Legislative Council Climate Change The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (15:13): My question is to the Treasurer regarding the budget, but before I ask my question I seek leave to make a brief explanatory statement. Leave granted. The Hon. R.A. SIMMS Legislative Council The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: South Australia is in the midst of a climate emergency. Over the last few years we have seen bushfires and drought ravage our state. My question to the Treasurer therefore is: given the climate crisis faced by South Australians, why did he fail to mention climate change even once in his budget speech? The Hon. R.I. LUCAS Legislative Council The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (15:14): Because this government is already well renowned for being one of the leaders in terms of recognising the importance of climate change. It is just implicit in our DNA here in South Australia. We live and breathe it every day. Members interjecting: The President Legislative Council The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. R.I. LUCAS Legislative Council The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: We don't have to parrot it at every particular public occasion. As I said, it is within our DNA. We live and breathe it every day— Members interjecting: The President Legislative Council The PRESIDENT: Order! I am sure the Hon. Mr Simms would like to listen to the answer. The Hon. R.I. LUCAS Legislative Council The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: —and no-one needs to convince the Premier— The Hon. J.E. Hanson interjecting: The President Legislative Council The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. R.I. LUCAS Legislative Council The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: —the Minister for the Environment or me as the Treasurer— The Hon. J.E. Hanson Legislative Council The Hon. J.E. Hanson: It's a disgrace! The President Legislative Council The PRESIDENT: Order, the Hon. Mr Hanson! The Hon. R.I. LUCAS Legislative Council The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: —of the critical importance of climate change and we are active leaders in many environmental issues. Members interjecting: The President Legislative Council The PRESIDENT: Order, the Hon. Ms Bourke! The Hon. R.I. LUCAS Legislative Council The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: There are a number of very significant environmental initiatives outlined in the budget speech— The Hon. J.E. Hanson Legislative Council The Hon. J.E. Hanson: You lead on the environment like Napoleon going backwards! The President Legislative Council The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. R.I. LUCAS Legislative Council The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: —and as all members would know, I am just such an unashamed supporter of the environmental lead that our Premier and our Minister for Environment have taken over the last three years.