Tanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Yesterday the Prime Minister failed to mention the government's woefully inadequate 26 to 28 per cent carbon pollution target even once in his speech to the climate conference in Paris. Is the government leaving room for a more ambitious target, or, like the foreign minister, is the government saying one thing in the conference room in Paris and another thing entirely in the party room in Canberra?

Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for her question. The government announced its targets for the Paris conference last August—publicly. There were press releases. It was, in fact, lodged with the UN. It is a 26 to 28 per cent reduction on 2005 levels by 2030. The target has been the subject of many public announcements and statements. It is the same policy that we have had since August.

I really do question the Deputy Leader of the Opposition seeking to make something of what is a public announcement by us and suggesting that we say one thing in Paris and another in Canberra. But the deputy leader does have form on this, you see. She so often says things that really are subject to some detailed consideration. Dare I say: she has been scaremongering again on the issue of climate change.

I think it is important not to engage in hyperbole when one is talking about climate change. I remember in 2011 when the deputy leader tried to scare the senior citizens on the Central Coast by saying that they were going to be subject to the ravages of climate change. Well, this is rather interesting. On 4 November, in relation to climate change, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition said on ABC radio that she had visited the Pacific islands:

… to see, well, where an island used to be, the island of Eneko—an island that had a home on it, a garden, spread fruit trees, palm trees, it’s just literally disappeared into the sea.

She said, 'literally disappeared into the sea'. That was news to me. That was certainly news to the post. That was certainly news to the residents of Eneko. Colleagues might be interested to see the island of Eneko.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Foreign Affairs knows the rules about props.

An honourable member: Table it!

Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to table a picture of Eneko.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You do not need leave to table it.

Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Indeed, Eneko, the island that she says has literally disappeared into the sea, has in fact got a residence on it. It has a beautiful and accessible beach getaway. You can rent a bungalow for $50 a night. It is in good condition, we are told. There are houses, lawns, gardens. There is a toilet block, and there are picnic tables. It seems to me that, when the Deputy Leader of the Opposition makes a claim, people had better test it very carefully. It is about scaremongering, exaggerating, hyperbole. It is really news to the people of Eneko. (Time expired)

Honourable members interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There are far too many interjections on each side. The member for Deakin will cease interjecting. The member for Bass will cease interjecting. On my left, the members for Jagajaga and Hotham will cease interjecting—I warned them yesterday—and the member for Hunter, as well, who has given me a private assurance.

Tanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I seek leave to table the speech by the Prime Minister in Paris, where he does not mention the pathetic targets of the government.

Leave not granted.