Matt Thistlethwaite (Kingsford Smith, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Financial Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Australian people want strong leadership and stronger government action when it comes to tackling climate change and reducing carbon emissions, but all they are getting from the Morrison government are excuses and an ongoing ideological war that is anti-science and denies the reality of a warming planet—the reality that has been thrust upon Australians with the unprecedented drought and devastating bushfires. Despite all of this, the denial continues from those on the opposite side of the chamber. After 6½ years in government they still don't have an energy and climate policy. They abolished the price on carbon emissions. They tried to shut down the Clean Energy Finance Corporation and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency. They've undermined renewable energy at every opportunity. They criticised Labor's electric vehicle policy, yet the Treasurer drives one around, in the ultimate act of hypocrisy.

Now the denial faction in the coalition is pushing for more coal-fired power stations, the largest producers of carbon emissions in the energy sector, and they want the government to underwrite it because the corporate sector won't touch it with a barge pole. The result of all this lack of leadership is that Australians' living standards are suffering. RepuTex today released information that shows the largest companies' carbon pollution has increased by 150 per cent. Prime Minister, when will your government wake up, accept the reality of climate change and take stronger action to combat a warming planet? (Time expired)

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

In accordance with standing order 43, the time for members' statements has concluded.