The new Queensland Premier, David Crisafulli, has made some moderately progressive comments about climate and nuclear energy but they are, when considered in the context of the latest Zurich-Mandala Climate Risk Index, insignificant compared to the scale of the problems the State faces.

For a start he has ruled out repealing the State’s ban on nuclear power although whether that would be maintained in the face of strong pressure from Peter Dutton is another question. He has also committed to the 2050 emissions target but has not made any commitments on how he would get there nor provided any interim targets.

His problem is highlighted by the Zurich-Mandala Climate Risk Index. The Zurich Insurance Group is naturally concerned that insurers are on the front line of risks relating to climate change, including natural disasters and extreme weather events. After all it’s about their money and profits not political sloganeering designed to evade real questions about climate change.

“For this reason, just as communities, businesses and policy-makers have increasingly looked to focus on prevention and mitigation,........

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