Lee Rhiannon (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) many Australians consider universities to be important institutions that provide a significant social, cultural and economic good,

(ii) Australian universities collectively hold investments worth billions of dollars,

(iii) the University of Glasgow, Stanford and 12 other universities in the United States have divested from fossil fuels, and the Australian National University has divested itself from a range of social and environmentally damaging companies, including fossil fuel companies, and

(iv) more than 120 academics and eminent alumni of the University of New South Wales (UNSW) have written an open letter calling on UNSW to divest from fossil fuels;

(b) congratulates the students and staff across Australia who have led inspiring campaigns and organised referenda calling on their universities to divest from fossil fuels; and

(c) calls on all Australian universities to divest themselves from fossil fuels and prioritise the research, development and financing of renewable energy technologies to help shift Australia to a clean energy future.

Barry O'Sullivan (Queensland, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Barry O'Sullivan (Queensland, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This debate goes to the heart of the philosophical difference between the government and the opposition, with its long-term allies the Greens. This government believes in getting economic fundamentals right for business. It does not believe in interfering at the heart of business. Universities and businesses should be free to make their own investment decisions without the heavy hand of government being involved. Let's remember: the Australian resources sector contributes about 10 per cent of our GDP, directly employs 270,000 people and supports another 800,000 in the workforce. Over the last 12 months, over $50 billion worth of resource projects have been finalised across the nation, with increases in production including over 200 million tonnes of iron ore, 40 million tonnes of coal and more than 1,000 petajoules of gas, creating jobs and boosting the economy. Let's be clear: this motion is driven by the extreme Greens' aversion to the resources industry and, in particular, to oil, gas and coal—the sources of energy that not only drive our economy but also continue to bring billions of people out of poverty through economic growth and access to electricity. (Time expired)

Claire Moore (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Claire Moore (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Labor believes in institutional autonomy for universities. Senator Rhiannon's motion refers to how universities invest their own funds. We supported a motion calling on the government to reverse its cuts to research funding and to prioritise funding for clean technologies. We made these investments when we were in government. It is Labor's programs that the Abbott government has cut, but we do not believe it is the job of this place to direct universities one way or another as to how they determine their own investment strategies.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that the motion moved by Senator Rhiannon be agreed to.