Preview for review.
Public Matter

Issues · Climate and environment

Climate targets and pollution

Votes on whether to set faster climate targets or stricter pollution rules than current policy.

Votes on bringing the net zero target forward and on action on wood heater smoke. The ACT already has a legislated net zero target for 2045.

How the 25 MLAs voted

5 for · 18 against · 2 not in these votes

Based on 2 recorded votes. For each vote we show which side counts as “for” this issue, and count how often each MLA voted on that side. This describes how they voted, not whether they were right. With fewer than 3 votes there are too few to show a pattern, so we only say which way each MLA voted.

What this can’t tell you

  • Most decisions in the Assembly are made on the voices, with no names recorded. Only recorded votes appear here.
  • Many of these votes are on changes to someone else’s motion. Voting against a change can mean “not like this” or “not funded yet”, not opposition to the idea.
  • Summaries say whose proposal each vote was on, so you can see when an MLA voted on their own motion or amendment.

Not yet checked. The plain-English summaries and the links between these votes and this issue were drafted with AI help and haven’t been checked by a person yet. The votes themselves are exactly as recorded in Hansard.

Each MLA

Squares show each vote, oldest first: for, against, not voting.

Voted for (5)

Voted against (18)

Not in any of these votes (2)

  • Deborah Morris · Brindabella
    Canberra Liberals    Not in any recorded vote on this issue
  • Rebecca Vassarotti · Kurrajong
    ACT Greens    Not in any recorded vote on this issue

The votes

  1. 1. 4 September 2025 · Environment—wood heatersNot yet checked

    A Greens motion on wood heater smoke and its effect on health. The motion as it stood was voted down.

    Voting Aye counts as for this issue. The motion sought stronger action on wood heater pollution.

    Result: Ayes 6, Noes 13. Who voted each way

  2. 2. 17 March 2026 · Climate change adaptation and emissions reductionNot yet checked

    Mr Emerson's changes to a Greens climate motion, including bringing the net zero target forward from 2045 to 2040. They were voted down.

    Voting Aye counts as for this issue. The changes called for a faster climate target.

    Result: Ayes 6, Noes 17. Who voted each way

What Canberrans said about climate and environment

15%picked “Taking climate action and switching to clean energy” as one of their top three priorities for the ACT Government
60%of everyone surveyed agreed enough is currently being done about it

What they most wanted

  • Support energy-efficiency upgrades/electrification of buildings62%
  • Protect and restore the natural environment57%
  • Stronger regulations and policies to reduce emissions53%

From the 2025 Community Priorities Survey (ACT Government, YourSay Panel, summary report, april 2026), carried out 21 October to 4 November 2025: 1,801 people answered. An opt-in panel of Canberrans aged 18 and over, with extra young people recruited through a second panel, weighted by age, gender and region to match the 2021 Census. “What they most wanted” is out of the 283 people who picked this area; each could choose up to three. This shows what people told one survey. It isn’t a vote, and it doesn’t say how any MLA should vote.