Ah, it’s the last workday before Christmas actually happens. However, just because you might be ready to take a break, the news cycle still has some juice up its sleeves. Which, granted, is a strange place to keep one’s juice. But that notwithstanding, here are some of today’s biggest headlines.
NSW’s New and Improved Emissions Target
The state of NSW is currently on track to halve its greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 levels by 2030. However, instead of resting on this feat, the government will be introducing another emissions reduction target.
The Treasurer, Matt Kean, will announce today that NSW will now aim to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 70% before 2035 is over.
“Now’s the time to reduce our reliance on energy sources that can be taken hostage by authoritarian regimes and switch to locally made renewable energy to build a cleaner future and protect our energy security,” said Kean.
“Our action on climate change will determine the prosperity of our children and define the way we are remembered by our grandchildren.”
The Federal Government Wants New Seafood Labels
Meanwhile, in federal politics, the government is considering making a mandatory Country of Origin label for the seafood that we eat at restaurants. These Country of Origin labels will tell you if the fish that you’re buying is from Australia, imported, or a mix.
“This is going to be fair dinkum reform that is absolutely straightforward for consumers,” said the Assistant Minister for Trade, Tim Ayres.
“It’ll be a very simple thing for the industry to comply with.”
The government has opened up a consultation period for this proposal and wants this legislation in place by next Christmas. If you want to put in your two cents, you have until March 15, 2023.
Related: How Australia’s Citizenship Ceremony Rules Will Change
Related: Why Sharks Attack and Why Killing Them Isn’t the Answer
Some Endangered Turtles Hatched in NSW
In hopeful news, some endangered Manning River turtle hatchlings have been surveyed in the NSW wild for the first time in four years. Moreover, this has given some experts a bit of extra hope.
As the Hunter Local Land Services’ Rye Gollan said, “Finding hatchlings for the first time in four years gives us a good indication of habitat, where they are nesting and breeding successfully.”
“It means we can target follow-up surveys there and we can learn a bit more about their nesting and early life stage ecology.”
Gollan also said, “If people are out on creeks and rivers at the moment, keep an eye out for evidence of turtles and record that for us, and that information can be really valuable.”
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