Greg Hunt (Flinders, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Water) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Treasurer. Is the Treasurer aware that, following the government’s white paper, Macquarie Research issued a downgrade for Energy Developments, a green energy company that would now miss out on credits for its clean energy? Is the Treasurer aware that the primary basis for the downgrade, dated 26 February this year, is the emissions trading scheme and the risk that investment and jobs will be lost? Will the Treasurer assure the employees of the company that Macquarie Research is wrong and that their jobs are safe under his scheme, or is this just the risk of a Rudd recession?

Wayne Swan (Lilley, Australian Labor Party, Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the shadow minister for his question. I cannot believe the hide of the shadow minister. They do not have a policy at all. We have a white paper, we have legislation in the parliament; they have no policy whatsoever. On 23 February the Leader of the Opposition said in the Australian that he stood for deeper cuts to Australia’s emissions. On the same day we had the shadow minister for infrastructure say that he stood for smaller cuts to Australia’s emissions. Of course, we also had Mr Robb earlier than that calling for a carbon tax and we had Senator Brandis saying there was no action at all. Confusion reigns supreme. Confusion reigns supreme when it comes to the CPRS and climate change more generally.

Joe Hockey (North Sydney, Liberal Party, Shadow Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Confusion? Tell us about the terms of reference for your committee.

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The member for North Sydney is warned.

Wayne Swan (Lilley, Australian Labor Party, Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Of course, this is a very good example of how those over there are so divided they cannot take a single consistent position on anything. They are so confused they are running around the place stabbing each other in the chest. They are so confused.

What do we have when it comes to climate change? We have the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, we have legislation which has been put out in the public by the responsible minister and we have a path of action which will deliver certainty to Australian business. That is what Australian businesses are looking for from the Rudd government. We have an approach to reduce emissions by setting a price signal. We have a renewable energy target and we have a commitment to energy efficiency. What do they have on that side of the House? Absolutely nothing. The hide of the shadow minister to get up and ask that question. We want to give the Australian people certainty; you should give them certainty by supporting our legislation in the Senate.

Greg Hunt (Flinders, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Water) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker I seek leave to table Macquarie Research’s note which warns of—

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is not granted.