Julian Simmonds (Ryan, Liberal National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I am very pleased to speak on this motion today, because it gives us the opportunity to talk about the hard work that this government is doing to take action on climate change and our commitment to ensuring that future generations and young people have opportunities for work and to succeed in the economy, because the two go hand in hand. The Morrison government knows the heavy impacts that this country has felt as a consequence of COVID-19 and the bushfires, which are referenced in this motion, which is why we have made record investments in recovery efforts. This government has also dedicated itself to action on climate change and waste reduction. In this budget alone, we have invested $674 million into oceans and marine ecosystems and $319 million into parks and heritage areas; improved research and development in the Great Barrier Reef and in the Antarctic; and, of course, helped encourage ecotourism.

The Morrison government is committed to taking real and meaningful action to address the challenge of climate change. To this end, we know that it is a global problem that requires a global solution. That's why we've committed to our international target of reducing emissions to 26 to 28 per cent below the 2005 levels by 2030. The target is achievable and responsible. It represents one of the most ambitious reductions in per capita emissions among the developed countries, all the while ensuring that our economy doesn't wear an unmeasured burden like that suggested by the Labor Party during the last federal election. We have targets which are in line with the Paris Agreement and we are on track to beat those targets. We beat our Kyoto targets, so Australians know that we can do it. We have a plan to invest in technology that will allow us to meet and beat these targets. We know that all governments, businesses and communities must work together to achieve this goal, particularly as natural disasters occur and we set our minds to the recovery efforts. That's why the Morrison government has invested over $15 billion in natural resource management, water infrastructure, drought and disaster resilience and recovery, including $325 million in climate science and adaption research and services.

This government knows that, in the COVID-19 recession, Australia is facing the greatest ever economic challenge that we have seen since the end of the war. To put it in perspective, as this chamber knows, we have seen the global economy reduce by some four per cent. When compared to the GFC, it reduced by less than one per cent. So it is a significant mountain that we have to climb as an Australian economy to get back to where we were, but we are dedicated to do it. But we are also aware that, as we do that, we need to continue the work to protect our environment. Gas will help us re-establish a strong economy as part of the government's JobMaker plan, making energy affordable for families and businesses and supporting jobs as part of Australia's recovery from the COVID-19 recession. If we are going to climb this mountain out of the COVID-19 recession, we need cheap and reliable energy. Gas is an important ingredient in delivering that, along with renewals, but our focus has to be on achieving cheap and reliable gas while we reduce our emissions as well.

Gas doesn't prevent us from reducing emissions, as this motion would claim. In fact, it is a key part of the government's plan to reduce emissions without imposing new costs on households, while, at the same time, creating jobs, growing businesses and the economy. Only the coalition government can be trusted to be responsible stewards of our economy and only the coalition government has a responsible plan for Australia to meet its international targets without destroying the jobs that we so desperately need to retain during the COVID recession. That was very starkly shown during the last federal election and endorsed by the Australian people. We are taking climate action to ensure Australia reduces its emissions, but we are also protecting our economy during that transition.

Under the leadership of Minister Ley and Trevor Evans as the assistant minister for waste reduction, we're investing millions of dollars in improving our environmental practices and, in doing so, are creating jobs for the future and reducing waste. I'd particularly like to point out the significant efforts that will be made with the passage—it's being debated in the House right now—of our first Recycling and Waste Reduction Bill. Along with the other investments, this is a truly transformative step in encouraging more responsible waste management and facilitating the industry to be more innovative in creating new technology to solve the issue of waste in our community. As you can see, the Morrison government are the ones to be trusted to reduce emissions and assist our environment.

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