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

I, and also on behalf of Senator Macdonald, move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) the Australian Labor Party's (ALP) Climate Action Plan, released in April 2016, states that 'Labor will introduce a framework to kick start the closure' of coal-fired power stations,

  (ii) the ALP co-sponsored a Senate motion in October 2016 'to encourage the retirement of coal-fired power stations',

  (iii) the Federal Opposition Leader told media in October 2016 that 'coal has a future in Australia',

  (iv) the ALP supported a Senate motion in March 2017 stating that Government 'has no choice but to walk away from funding coal-fired power stations',

  (v) the ALP supported a Senate motion in March 2017 stating that 'thermal coal is in structural decline and has no long term future in Australia',

  (vi) the ALP supported a Senate motion in June 2017 congratulating the Federal Minister for Resources and Northern Australia and the Queensland Premier for 'their leadership in bringing the Adani Carmichael Mine in Queensland's Galilee Basin another step closer to being a reality', and

  (vii) the ALP supported a Senate motion in August 2017 stating that Government 'should not force the early retirement of coal-fired power stations'; and

(b) calls on the Federal Australian Labor Party to come clean with a coherent policy position regarding the future role of coal and coal-fired power stations in the national energy mix.

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

You're not going to let me down, are you, Senator McGrath?

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No. I seek leave to make a short statement.

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

Leave is granted for one minute.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There is no doubt as to where the Liberal-National coalition government stands on the future of coal and coal-fired power. This government does not support forced early retirement of coal-fired power stations. The government recognises the importance of maintaining an affordable and reliable baseload energy supply and the job security of those employed in the coal power industry. The government considers coal—

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

Order! Point of order, Senator Di Natale.

Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I believe Senator McGrath has just defied your previous ruling.

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

He is not debating the motion. I was very clear. He is putting the government's position. That's what he's doing. It's a statement.

Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Perhaps for the benefit of this side of the chamber, can you explain the difference between putting forward a position of a particular party and debating? I'm not sure I understand the difference.

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

Well, it is a difficult area, Senator Di Natale. But he's not physically debating or arguing a contrary position. He is putting the government's position, and the opposition have been doing the same. There are times when elements of debate can creep into that, but I'm asking senators to be very conscious, when they make statements, not to purely debate the issue.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government considers coal to be an essential part of Australia's energy mix for the long-term future, including the consideration of high-efficiency, low-emissions coal technology.

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

The question is that the motion moved by Senator O'Sullivan be agreed to.