Zali Steggall (Warringah, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I seek leave to move the following motion:

That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the private Members' business orders of the day relating to the Climate Change (National Framework for Adaptation and Mitigation) Bill 2021 and the Climate Change (National Framework for Adaptation and Mitigation) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2021 standing in the name of the Member for Warringah being called on immediately, debated together and given priority over all other business for final determination of the House.

Leave not granted.

I move:

That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the private Members' business orders of the day relating to the Climate Change (National Framework for Adaptation and Mitigation) Bill 2021 and the Climate Change (National Framework for Adaptation and Mitigation) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2021 standing in the name of the Member for Warringah being called on immediately, debated together and given priority over all other business for final determination of the House.

We need to suspend standing orders so that we may debate these climate change bills. We are less than a week out from the Olympics of international policy, the Conference of the Parties 26 in Glasgow. The UN Emissions Gap Report was released today. Current pledges have us on track for 2.7 degrees of warming. The alarm bells are ringing. It's a code red. World leaders need to come together and commit to significant emissions reductions by 2030. It's time to stop playing politics with our future and listen to the science. The report makes clear that cuts of at least 55 per cent by 2030 are needed. The world needs an orderly transition away from fossil fuels. Australia needs a plan for an orderly transition away from fossil fuels. But we don't have one.

Yesterday we were presented with a slideshow of graphs and no new commitment to 2030, no increase in investment in clean technologies, no education or training program to assist workers and communities worried about their future, and no process or programs to ensure scientists, experts and communities have a voice and are part of the road map to net zero. There are moments in history when leaders have the opportunity to show what they're made of, and this is one of them. This is the time to join nations of high ambition and restore our international standing.

I welcome the government's commitment to net zero by 2050 and I thank all those who have campaigned relentlessly and pushed for that minimum commitment. But it's a baby step, and it will be meaningless if it's not backed by actual transition. Technology, business and investment need policy certainty. That is the purpose of parliament—to ensure that we have a robust debate and pass legislation that addresses the challenges ahead.

We need to set Australia up. That's why it's so urgent that we debate and vote on the climate change bills. We must legislate a clear framework to enable a clear, sensible, cost-effective transition—one that is based on expert advice and listens to the regions and impacted communities. If you believe it, legislate it. Anything less than this is passing the buck on to the next generation. We need to pass the bills, not the buck.

The government wants to ignore the proven technologies that we have now, that are ready now, and instead wants to focus on hypothetical technologies that have failed to deliver—carbon capture and storage—and hope that they will somehow offset continuing business as usual. We can't commit to net zero but approve new coal and gas fields. We can't present a 129-page pamphlet to address the biggest security, economic and environmental threat we face.

To put things in perspective: the United Kingdom's plan, as required under their Climate Change Act, is 21 documents and some 1,868 pages long. It has heat pump grants, EV incentives and plans for ending gas boiler and fossil fuel powered vehicle sales. It's Treasury reviewed and climate change committee approved. It has a pathway for every sector to 2037. What does Australia have? We have a 15-page PowerPoint slideshow and a 129-page information brochure that is empty of actual substance.

That's why this motion needs to pass, so we can debate the climate change bills. It's very important that we put this behind us. We need to lock net zero into law and lock in a framework that will ensure proper planning, accountability, integrity, transparency and the most efficient pathway possible. That's what these bills deliver. It's worked overseas; it is a proven model. The United Kingdom have had their Climate Change Act since 2008. It has directly contributed to emissions reduction and their transition to low-emissions technologies. They are on track for 68 per cent emissions reduction on 2005 levels by 2030. Their framework works, and that's why we need it as well.

Our economy is badly exposed to climate impacts. Simultaneously, it's uniquely positioned to thrive in a net zero world. Deloitte Access Economics has forecast there will be 880,000 fewer jobs by 2070 if we leave climate change unchecked. The Business Council of Australia has commissioned Deloitte to model what will happen if we do act. Remarkably, we can add $890 billion to the economy, almost 200,000 jobs, and households will be $5,000 better off per year. Importantly, if we adopt a stronger 2030 target of at least 50 per cent emissions reduction on 2005 levels, we will add $210 billion. These figures are dependent on policy certainty and confidence. We can provide this policy certainty with a debate and a vote on the climate change bills.

The economic case is compelling; there is no doubt. That's why every sector of the Australian economy is demanding more action from the government. From unions to academics to health professionals to business to communities, they have all lent their voices to those of mine and my colleagues here on the crossbench to call for the bills to be debated in this House and passed. There have been 6½ thousand submissions to the inquiry into these bills, with 99.9 per cent in support. Businesses, most importantly, want certainty. They want a pathway out of COVID and towards a new resilient economy. We cannot keep putting obstacles in their path. The Business Council of Australia said the bill will be 'critical to mapping out a pathway to net zero'. Responsible Investment Association Australasia said the bill is 'integral to providing certainty to investors'. We need to smooth the way for business, and that can only be done with clear legislation.

Today we can debate this important measure. We can put the climate wars to bed. Your power in this place is to actually debate and pass meaningful legislation. We know that two in three coal jobs will disappear in the next two decades, whether the Nationals like it or not. We have been warned. Change is coming, and we must plan for the fair employment transition for these communities, not sell them fantasies that their industries will be around for ever. We must protect people, not old industries. We must be prepared, and that can only be done with clear legislation.

So I call on the members of this parliament who tell their communities that they are here for climate action, that they believe in the science: this is your opportunity for your words to be met with action. I urge you to vote in support of this motion. Australian climate policy needs to be taken out of the hands of the National Party and openly debated in parliament—to get past the blockers. The government can allow debate today and an open vote on the climate change bill, like we had for the same-sex marriage vote, and then members can represent their communities. They can vote in favour of a sensible, proven solution to climate policy impasse. We can stop passing the buck for future generations. I urge members of this place to support the motion.

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