Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) obtained Freedom of Information (FOI) documents revealing the federal government had failed to release national greenhouse pollution data since July 2016.
The last Quarterly Update was published in December 2016, at that time two quarters were released together- updates from March and June of 2016.
FOI records showed the Turnbull government failed to release data for the last two Quarterly Updates.
An update was scheduled for the end of September 2016 it was not released. Another update was scheduled for earlier this year, it was not released.
ACF CEO Kelly O ’Shanassy told SBS World News the government seems to be "embarassed" about releasing their climate pollution data.
"It’s sad that it took an FOI and a front page news article to get that data released. I’m sure the government realises it does not have a plan to solve climate pollution and therefore they want to hide climate pollution data".
However, Environment and Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg told SBS World News the Turnbull government is working to reduce emissions.
“The Turnbull Government is working to further reduce emissions through the Emissions Reduction Fund, the National Energy Productivity Plan, the phase down of hydrofluorocarbons and the Renewable Energy Target.
“Australia has a strong track record on international emissions reduction targets. We beat our first Kyoto target by 128 million tonnes and are on track to meet and beat our second Kyoto 2020 target by 224 million tonnes," he said.
AFC says they're still waiting on other quaterly updates to be released.
"Pollution levels in Australia, continue to rise when they’re supposed to be falling, we have an international commitment to reduce pollution by around 27-28 per cent. Instead it's increasing every year in this country.
"So we’re no on track to meet our long term commitments, we’re not on track to do our fair share in solving global warming," Ms O ’Shanassy said.
Prior to the government releasing their data, NSW Greens MP Justin Field said the NSW Greens condemnned the government’s actions on withholding their information.
“The answer is not censorship and secrecy, it’s an urgent transition away from fossil fuel and increased investment in renewable energy such as solar with battery storage and wind power,” he said prior to the newly released information.
The National Greenhouse Gas Inventory has released quarterly updates every year since 2009.
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