19005 (2026). Hon Dr Deborah Russell to the Minister of Justice

19005 (2026). Hon Dr Deborah Russell to the Minister of Justice: Does the Minister agree with University of Waikato law professor Alexander Gillespie who said of amending the Climate Change Response Act 2002 to prevent findings of liability for tort for climate change “by potentially making a blanket ban in this area, they are avoiding even theoretical findings of wrongdoing”?

Hon Paul Goldsmith: I consider this reform is needed to address the risk that the courts could develop a regime that is parallel to and contradicts the Climate Change Response Act. This change will clarify the Government’s intention that greenhouse gas emissions and climate change harm are best regulated by Parliament and the Executive, who can take a whole of economy approach that carefully considers environmental, economic and social implications.