Matt Burnell (Spence, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

This MPI gives us the opportunity to speak to the Albanese Labor government's record on climate and our environment in a holistic sense. I can understand the tone of the member for Ryan's motion; I truly can. The impatience I see etched on every word is completely understandable. The member for Ryan, like myself, has only just been elected to this place for the very first time during this 47th Parliament, and we share some things in common. Prior to our election to this place, on the outside of the building, as mere concerned citizens, the member for Ryan and I have been waiting nine long years for a government that will take climate seriously, a government that will stand up for Australia's beautiful natural environment and its flora and fauna, and a government that will do its part on the world stage. This is something I know the member believes earnestly.

The member for Ryan and the Greens want an earnest commitment to act. How could they not? After nine years of the Abbott, Turnbull and Morrison governments, the dial on progress has swung so wildly in the opposite direction that I can understand why they are crying out for drastic improvements on the course our nation is travelling. Yet the member discounts quite a large number of moves in the right direction made by the Albanese Labor government since Labor was given the privilege of governing this great nation by its people a little over a year ago.

I will level with the member for Ryan: as a South Australian I am truly horrified, but at the same time I am seldom surprised that over nine years the Liberal and National parties at all levels, along the Murray-Darling Basin, for the vast majority of that period of time—it's not just coincidence now that the Basin Plan has ended up being an uphill battle to deliver. I do apologise for the elevation of my tone, but the Murray is the lifeblood of South Australia. It's why I understand the frustration shown by the member for Ryan and her colleagues. I am entirely certain they are aware of the environmental and climate record of the opposition. I am sure they are entirely aware of the many attempts at convincing the domestic audience that they were fulfilling Australia's climate and environmental obligations on the world stage. But I reckon we all know better.

I know that the Greens remember the Leader of the Opposition joking about water lapping at the doors of our friends in the Pacific islands. It even brought about a very rare smile from the leader. In contrast, one of the first acts of this Prime Minister was updating our nationally determined contribution under the Paris agreement. The contrast is a stark one, but I know the member for Ryan and her comrades are abundantly aware of the history, the facts, the policies and the differences there too. They just want to see those in power do better. I'm sure this isn't just an effort to put up a speech or two on social media in the hope of gaining a few more subscribers or members for their branches. I'm sure Greens members in this place discussed the improvement required by the opposition when they were sitting together in the chamber during divisions on Labor's Housing Australia Future Fund Bill or even the Nature Repair Market Bill, for that matter.

I'm proud to be part of a government that is bringing Australia back in line with where it should be on climate, without the rude shock that would cripple the industry—industries such as manufacturing—before such time as our advanced manufacturing and renewables sector can stand on its own two feet again, after being kneecapped by the opposition over nine whole years in government.

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