Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

Let me assure the member for Bennelong that as far as this government is concerned, climate change is real, climate change does happen and mankind does make a contribution. It is important that this government—indeed, that all governments—have strong and effective policies to deal with it, and that is exactly what this government has in place.

We have a very good record as a country and as a government when it comes to reducing emissions. This government, this country—quite rare if I may say so—is on track to meet and beat not just our Kyoto targets but also our target of a 13 per cent reduction on 2005 levels by 2020. We are on track to meet and beat that target.

What the government has now decided is that we will achieve a 26 to 28 per cent emissions reduction target by 2030. That is the proposal, and that is the commitment that we will take to the Paris climate change conference this year—26 to 28 per cent. It is better than Japan, at 25 per cent. It is about the same as New Zealand, at about 29 per cent. It is a little less than Canada, at 30 per cent. It is the same as the United States, which has 26 to 28 per cent. It is a little less than Europe, at 34 per cent—but I have to say our economy is growing strongly and our population is growing strongly, unlike Europe. It is massively better than Korea, with a four per cent reduction. And, of course, look at China; China's target is a 150 per cent increase in its emissions.

This is environmentally and economically responsible because we can achieve this without clobbering our economy—without hitting growth and jobs—with an electricity tax scam or an emissions trading scheme or a new carbon tax.

Let me make this point: not only is our absolute target of 26 to 28 per cent four-square in the middle of comparable economies but our emissions reduction target per person, at 50 per cent—a 50 per cent emissions reduction per person—is the very best in the developed world. So, if you want to protect the environment and protect the economy, stick with this government.

See this speech in context