Ed Husic (Chifley, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency. Will the minister update the House on the government’s action to tackle climate change and how this has been received, including the response of the so-called ‘people’s revolt’ to the government’s plan?

Greg Combet (Charlton, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would like to thank the member for Chifley for his question. Since the government announced the carbon price framework several weeks ago there has of course been significant debate in relation to it. Today, for example, I was happy to receive a petition from the ACTU and the World Wildlife Fund on the need to take action on climate change. The petition was signed by over 12,000 people and called for the parliament to reduce carbon pollution and move to a clean energy future.

Of course, there are those with opposing views, including those who are part of the so-called ‘people’s revolt’ organised by the Leader of the Opposition. It is perfectly legitimate in a democracy for people to freely express their views and to engage in rallies such as that conducted today. I have been involved in some rallies myself over a period of time. It is appropriate, though, to consider just what organisations are becoming involved in the Leader of the Opposition’s campaign against a carbon price and why they might oppose the government’s climate change plans.

The revolt is in fact led by the Menzies House website, which was founded with the help of Liberal Senator Cory Bernardi, who is notorious for his climate change science denial. But there is also a range of other groups involved that do not like the government’s climate change policy. The Consumers and Taxpayers Association, who organised today’s rally, AAP noted a few weeks ago is an association with just three members. You have also got climate sceptics groups, the anti-Semitic Australian League of Rights, and One Nation. No surprise that they do like the government’s policies.

Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order.

Government Members:

Government members interjecting—

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

Order! Those on my right.

Dick Adams (Lyons, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Adams interjecting

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

The member for Lyons is warned. The Manager of Opposition Business on a point of order.

Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, would it be more relevant for the minister to point out that the member for Robertson was at the rally greeting busloads of people from her electorate and encouraging them to take part?

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

The member for Sturt is warned. There is no point of order. The minister has the call.

Greg Combet (Charlton, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

One of the other groups protesting the government’s climate change laws was—

Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Pyne interjecting

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

I name the member for Sturt!

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the member for Sturt be suspended from the service of the House.

Question put.

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

The member for Sturt is suspended from the service of the House for 24 hours.

The member for Sturt then left the chamber.

Greg Combet (Charlton, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, those opposite raised the participation of the member for Robertson in the rally. I just wish to alert the House that in fact the member for Robertson issued a press release prior to question time commencing today which said, in part, the following:

Even though I disagree with today’s protest, I wanted Central Coast residents who have taken the trouble to come down and express their views to know that I value their contribution to our democracy. In the debate over the implementation of a carbon price, we must not allow ourselves to be swept up in fear and misinformation campaigns.

On that point, one of the other organisations involved in protesting the government’s policies is the Coalition of Law Abiding Sporting Shooters. What do they want, as well as no carbon tax? They want to repeal former Prime Minister John Howard’s gun laws. They were there today. We also had the Lavoisier Group, a group which, as one commentator pointed out, warned that the Kyoto protocol was part of a new imperial structure that would relocate Australian sovereignty to Germany. Clearly these are not people who would support action on climate change. The decision by the Leader of the Opposition to associate himself with the placards we saw today, the messages that have been provided and the groups that have participated is unbefitting a leader of a major political party in this country—and you should disassociate yourself.