Kim Beazley (Brand, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Has the Prime Minister seen the April 2006 report released by the Australian Business Roundtable on Climate Change, comprising Westpac, Origin Energy, Insurance Australia Group, BP, Visy and Swiss Re? Can the Prime Minister confirm that the report finds that 250,000 more jobs will be created if we act early to address climate change rather than if we delay? Isn’t this why on 19 December 1997 the Prime Minister said the Kyoto protocol was ‘a win for the environment and a win for Australian jobs’?

John Howard (Bennelong, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have seen a summary of that and I am aware of the broad thrust comprised in that report. I have no argument with acting in relation to climate change. My disagreement is in relation to the desirability of this country signing up to the Kyoto protocol because I think it is in the interests of the nation to revise one’s view about something that you may have held in 1997, which is nine years ago. The truth is that if Australia were to sign Kyoto in its present form it would assume burdens—

Chris Bowen (Prospect, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Bowen interjecting

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The member for Prospect!

John Howard (Bennelong, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

not assumed by countries like China and Indonesia. As a result it would be more economic for investments carrying the creation of thousands of jobs to be made in countries like China and Indonesia rather than in Australia. That, in a nutshell, is the reason why we are not in favour of signing Kyoto. We are in favour, and we are giving effect to the favour, of encouraging investment in technologies that will reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of fossil fuel. We have signed up to the Asia-Pacific partnership for development and energy. Kyoto was essentially constructed by the Europeans to suit the Europeans.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Manager of Opposition Business in the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It was constructed by the Americans.

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The member for Grayndler!

John Howard (Bennelong, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It was not constructed in order to accommodate the legitimate interests of a developed country which is a large net exporter of energy, which is the case with Australia. So I would say in reply to the business roundtable, as I would say in reply to other people who raise this issue, that those who believe that you have answered the call and deserve a tick in relation to climate change by signing up to Kyoto misunderstand the national interest of this country. I am never going to support something that will result in Australian industry and Australian jobs being exported from Australia to countries like China and Indonesia.

Lindsay Tanner (Melbourne, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Didn’t we agree to Kyoto?

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The member for Melbourne is warned!

John Howard (Bennelong, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That would be the effect of signing Kyoto in its present form. Until we have an agreement that embraces all of the major emitters, including the United States and China, we are never going to have an effective protocol. In the meantime all countries, including Australia, will take steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. I am happy to compare Australia’s performance in meeting her Kyoto target of 108 with the efforts of other countries that on occasions assume the right to lecture Australia about our contribution. My first responsibility is not to an ideology on this. It is to the jobs and future of Australian workers.