Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Hansard source

They are very desperate to oppose at every single opportunity. We will have the debate on this process. It will begin tomorrow. The debate will begin, the bills have all been introduced, members will be able to participate and people in the broader community will be able to make submissions and participate in the joint committee process. They will be able to do that.

I do note that unlike every single committee established by the former, coalition government, without exception, the government is not seeking to have a government majority on this committee. That is indicative of the approach which we have taken, which is an inclusive approach. It is one that has said, 'Let's get the submissions from scientists on the science,'—not the flat-earthers, but the scientists on the science. When it comes to the economists we think that there should be an opportunity for economists to make submissions about the appropriate mechanisms to find the cheapest way to deliver a reduction in carbon emissions.

Those opposite, of course, would rather listen to the submissions of the Citizens Electoral Council and all sorts of flat-earth groups—the League of Rights—the sorts of people who were demonstrating outside my office with the member for Indi a couple of weeks ago. They were there with their signs, 'Tolerance is our demise,' outside an office in Marrickville Road. How to make friends with multicultural Australia: 'Tolerance is our demise' is their approach! It is little wonder that they are opposed to setting up this committee, which will add to the transparency.

There will be a process whereby the committee will report prior to any votes being held in the parliament. For those people who have been here a while, that never occurred under Work Choices or under the GST legislation. There was never the certainty provided that this government is prepared to provide. That is what this motion is doing. The fact is that this position will allow for proper participation. It will allow for that participation whilst the carbon bills are being discussed in the second reading debate.

I note that there have been some figures given by those opposite about the amount of time that would be allowed for debate per bill on this. We were allowed 30 seconds per member per GST bill before this parliament. Indeed, that was an improvement. That was the best practice of the former, coalition government, unlike what they did in the Work Choices legislation. We will allow members to participate.

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