Climate inaction will continue to drive up health costs and worsen the ACT Budget unless it is properly accounted for in the territory’s fiscal sustainability review, ACT Greens Leader Shane Rattenbury says.

“The ACT Parliament’s fiscal sustainability review must consider the cost of the climate crisis – its impact on the health and wellbeing of the community and how, if not addressed, this will continue to blow out the ACT Budget,” Mr Rattenbury said.

He said failing to address the health impacts of climate change would leave more Canberrans exposed to harm from extreme weather and place further strain on public services.

“We must consider the health costs of climate inaction. If we don’t, many more Canberrans will be harmed from the impacts of extreme weather events, and we risk a situation where there’s no resources to deliver support and services when they are most needed,” he said.

Mr Rattenbury pointed to last year’s hospital overspend and worsening budget position, saying rising health costs were linked to a lack of preventative action.

“Just last year, the ACT Labor government raked up a $387 million overspend on the hospital and a budget deficit totalling around $1.5 billion – $500 million more than forecast,” he said. “Our hospital bill will continue to rise unless the government starts to deliver preventative initiatives.”

He cited recent research linking emergency department presentations to extreme temperatures.

“Just yesterday, an ANU report found 1 in 15 visits to the emergency department in Canberra are due to extreme heat or cold,” Mr Rattenbury said. “That’s almost 7 per cent of presentations which could have been prevented through climate mitigation and preparation measures.”

Mr Rattenbury said people living on low incomes were most exposed to climate-driven weather events.

“Canberrans living below the poverty line are at greatest risk of extreme weather events, like bushfires and heatwaves,” he said.

He said poor housing conditions were exacerbating health risks, particularly for renters and public housing tenants.

“There are many Canberrans who are sweltering in poorly insulated homes, and that number skyrockets for renters and public housing tenants,” he said.

“Many public housing tenants are already living with chronic health conditions or disabilities so are at a greater risk of harm.”

Mr Rattenbury also highlighted barriers to accessing primary healthcare.

“Coupled with one of the lowest GP bulk-billing rates in the country, many households struggling to pay bills or put food on the table cannot afford to see the doctor,” he said. “Instead, people become so unwell they need to be hospitalised and take much longer to recover.”

He said climate change was deepening inequality and criticised the government’s response.

“The climate crisis fuels inequality, but it doesn’t have to be this way – it just needs ambition and action,” Mr Rattenbury said. “But under Labor we’ve seen climate action stalled and the health response focused on the emergency department, rather than helping people before they become that unwell.”

“Inaction is inhumane, and it’s costly,” he said.

Mr Rattenbury said the inquiry should examine measures that would improve resilience and reduce pressure on frontline services.

“The inquiry must consider how initiatives like improving heating and cooling in buildings, more public places to shelter from extreme weather events, and more bulk-billed GP appointments will make life better for many Canberrans and ease pressure off emergency and crisis services,” he said.