Scottish Labour net zero chief missed climate change vote after flying to Australia

Scottish Labour’s net zero spokeswoman missed the vote on a new climate change law after jetting out to Australia. Sarah Boyack missed the Holyrood debate on green targets because she and fellow MSPs Jeremy Balfour and Stuart McMillan were 10,000 miles away in Sydney.

Holyrood has estimated the cost to the taxpayer for the trip is £32,800.

MSPs pushed through the legislation on Tuesday after fast tracking it through Parliament. The Bill scrapped annual climate change targets after the SNP government accepted it could not reduce emissions by 75% by 2030.

Boyack, a long standing environmental campaigner and key member of Anas Sarwar’s shadow cabinet, blasted the Government on the day before the vote.

She said: “This is a day of shame for the SNP government, whose inaction has left our climate targets in tatters. The SNP cannot make the same mistakes again – this Bill must be backed up with a real plan to meet our remaining targets and ensure our homes, transport and communities can deliver the just transition we urgently need.”

However, official records show she was absent from the chamber the next day during the debate and did not vote. Boyack and the two other MSPs had earlier flown to the other side of the world to take part in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference.

A Holyrood source said: “Sarah Boyack criticised the Scottish Government’s climate change bill but didn’t even vote because she had flown out to Australia for what some will say is a junket. Maybe she needs to take her net zero responsibilities more seriously. It is a poor decision.”

According to Parliament documents, the annual CPA conference started on November 3 and ends on Friday. The event brings together parliamentarians, staff and decision makers from across the Commonwealth for a “unique conference and networking opportunity”.

This year’s gathering includes workshops, a “world café” and a general assembly debate. The document stated: “Six Members applied for the opportunity and Sarah Boyack MSP was selected by the Branch Executive Committee as the successful candidate.”

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Flights were paid by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, but the remaining costs for travel, accommodation, registration fees, meals and “appropriate incidental expenses” will be paid by Holyrood.

In 2022, Boyack aimed a dig at SNP Cabinet Secretary Angus Robertson for travelling abroad. "While Angus Robertson racks up air miles talking about Scotland's fantastic culture sector abroad, businesses at home are facing a perfect storm.”

A Scottish Labour spokesperson said: “Sarah Boyack attended the annual conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association on behalf of the Scottish Parliament as part of a cross-party delegation with Stuart McMillan and Jeremy Balfour. This trip was agreed by the Scottish Parliament before the timetable for the Climate Bill was set. The conference has included discussions on the impact of the climate emergency on countries like Scotland and has been an opportunity to share international best practice on issues such as clean power, housing, and job creation.”

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