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

Thanks, Mr Deputy Speaker. What we have had is an attempt to delay this legislation. We know that they delayed: they had over 12 years to act on climate change and they refused to do so. They took a couple of steps forward but then would take three steps back. They signed the Kyoto protocol but would not ratify the Kyoto protocol. They were not quite sure where they were in terms of the renewable energy target and support for industry. From time to time every election they drew out support for a particular solar project or support for a particular water project or for some environmental initiative, and particularly if it was someone who was known to senior members of the then government frontbench it got a run, but there was no consistency and no framework.

What this legislation does is put in place a comprehensive package of reform to ensure that we move towards a clean energy future. What this motion before the House does is manage the process so that there can be absolute certainty. We know that those opposite have been trying to raise all sorts of issues with regard to whether pairs would be granted and when the votes were to be held. They have said, 'We don't know when they'll be held; it will be up to the government to schedule it.' What we are doing here today is providing that absolute certainty, so that everyone knows when the votes will be held, in a way which is appropriate. Every time they have gone a step too far, such as saying that they would deny the right of a father to be present at the birth of his child, they had to backtrack from that position.

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