Peter Garrett (Kingsford Smith, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Heritage) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to speak in the second reading debate on the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Bill 2007. The National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Bill establishes a single national framework for reporting greenhouse gas emissions, emission reduction actions and energy consumption and production by corporations from 1 July 2008.

A greenhouse reporting bill is necessary to underpin a national emissions trading scheme. Federal Labor has a longstanding commitment to implementing emissions trading as a practical, sensible and flexible approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It recognises that this legislation is fundamental to what we believe should be a growing bipartisan approach to tackling climate change. That is why Labor, and the Senate in particular, were surprised and disappointed that, in the first instance, the environment minister introduced such a sloppy bill. Labor recognises the urgent need for progress on emissions trading, but that does not excuse poor process or lack of consultation—

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