Climate Change Reference Group - Meeting Summary 4

The fourth meeting of the Tasmanian Government Climate Change Reference Group was held on Wednesday 1 April 2026.

Membership and attendance

The meeting was chaired by the Minister for Environment, the Hon Madeleine Ogilvie MP. The Reference Group includes representatives from:

• Australian Medical Association (AMA)
• Climate Tasmania
• Local Government Association of Tasmania (LGAT)
• Royal Automobile Club of Tasmania (RACT)
• Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI)
• TasFarmers
• Tasmanian Forest Products Association (TFPA)
• Tasmanian Minerals, Manufacturing and Energy Council (TMEC)
• Unions Tasmania
• University of Tasmania, Tasmanian Policy Exchange (UTAS).

The representative from TCCI was an apology for the meeting.

1. Welcome

The Minister introduced herself, welcomed members to the meeting, thanked everyone for their attendance, and made an Acknowledgement of Country. The Minister made opening remarks including acknowledgement of the important work that members are leading within their sectors, the recently released 2024-25 Independent Review of the Climate Change (State Action)  Act 2008 (the Climate Change Act), and the context of the current fuel security situation.

2. 2024-25 Independent Review of the Climate Change (State Action) Act 2008

The Minister introduced Sarah Russell, Director Climate Change, to present on the 2024-25 Independent Review of the Climate Change Act. Dr Russell presented on:

• the independent review process and consultation activities
• content of the Consultation Report and Review Report
• a summary of the independent review key findings and recommendations
• an overview of the government’s proposed approach to responding to the review recommendations.

Five discussion questions for consideration by members:

1. Do you have any feedback on the consultation process for the independent review?
2. What are your thoughts on the review findings and recommendations?
3. Do you have any feedback on the proposed responses currently identified for each recommendation?
4. How else can the government address the opportunities identified in the review?
5. If you could strengthen any part of the current climate change work program, what would it be and why?

The Minister invited each member, in turn, to share their views. All members contributed to constructive discussion and two actions were noted.

Action: CCO to support the Reference Group and government to support sector representatives, the community and interested parties to come to together to share information and identify priority actions (for example, a series of roundtables).

Action: Members are invited to provide further written feedback on the independent review and proposed government response by 30 April 2026.

3. Five-minute break

4. Updates from members – climate change priorities and actions

This agenda item was not progressed due to time constraints. Members were invited to share priority matters as part of other business.

5. Other business

The Minister invited members to raise any other business relevant to the Reference Group, including agenda items for the next meeting. Several items were raised for consideration and two actions were noted.

Action: Members are invited to nominate agenda items for future Reference Group meetings, and/or items of interest for out-of-session distribution.

Action: CCO to explore options for Reference Group members to share information about their work, including current sector context and priorities, and key areas of focus for climate change action. This could include establishing an online sharing platform, and/or members and the Chair developing a two-page overview about their sector.

6. Meeting close

The Minister noted that the date and time of the next Climate Change Reference Group will be advised. She thanked all members for their attendance and contributions, and closed the meeting.