Dan Tehan (Wannon, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister update the House on how innovation and technology will then able Australia to achieve both stronger growth and a cleaner environment?

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for his question. As honourable members know, I returned this morning from the Paris COP 21, the big climate change conference there. I have to say there was a feeling of real optimism at the COP. There is recognition there and a recognition certainly—

Mr Albanese interjecting—

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

The member for Grayndler will cease interjecting.

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

that Australia brought to COP that technology and innovation are the keys to a cleaner environment and, of course, a stronger economy. We came to the COP, the climate change conference, with a commitment to producing the innovation that we need to ensure that we move over time to a net zero emissions world. I emphasised that by referring to the extraordinary work done by Australian scientists and in particular I cited the work of the University of New South Wales on solar panels. They have developed the most efficient solar panels in 30 out of the last 32 years. Within a few years 60 per cent, it is estimated, of the world's solar panels—photovoltaic panels—will be using technology developed at the University of New South Wales. This is something that Australians can be very proud of.

I was honoured to be in the company of Bill Gates, one of the handful of people who, you can say without any doubt, have created digital world of today and one of the greatest philanthropists of our times—apart from being a great technologist—with an initiative of his, Mission Innovation, supported by many countries, including Australia, which has undertaken to double our investment in clean technology over the next five years. More importantly—or I should say just as importantly—he is mobilising billions of additional dollars to invest in clean technology. Mr Gates recognises that no-one can be sure what new technological avenue will produce the breakthrough. So there needs to be investment right across the board, and that is exactly what our government is doing. We are committed to innovation; we are committed to clean technology; we are leading the way on that. We will next week be presenting an innovation statement that will demonstrate to all Australians our commitment to a 21st century economy built on innovation, driving better jobs and stronger growth.

Ms Owens interjecting—

Mr Albanese interjecting—

Ms MacTiernan interjecting—

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

The member for Parramatta, the member for Grayndler and the member for Perth will cease interjecting. I will not allow them to interject continuously through question time. I have given them fair warning.