Madeleine King (Brand, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Northern Australia) Share this | Hansard source

As I was saying, those opposite, when in government, failed to realise that Australia's resources sector will be essential to reaching net zero emissions by 2050, and not only for Australia but for the world. Without the resources sector in this country, the world will not reach a global ambition of net zero emissions by 2050.

Now, I'm asked about the threat to certainty in this sector. Well, it lies opposite—there it is. Such is their disregard for the resources sector that they shuffled the resources minister out of cabinet. This is the largest export industry of this country, and they shuffled the minister out of there so the member for New England could get a promotion and a couple of extra staff. What a legacy! What a legacy for you guys!

We remember everyone else's legacy in this House as well, don't we? We remember what the Greens did in 2009, when they failed to support the CPRS. What they did was: they teamed up with the Liberals and the Nationals opposite to make sure there was no action on climate change, nearly 13 years ago. So, all of those opposite—and I take the crossbenchers out of that—that is your legacy and the uncertainty you bring to the resources sector in this country. You are driving yourselves into the past, reigniting the climate wars. The people of this country elected this government earlier, last year, because they wanted an end to the uncertainty you've created for the whole nation, for our economy and for our resources sector.

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