Mark Butler (Hindmarsh, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Why won't the Prime Minister commit to net zero by 2050 when it is supported by every state and territory government, the Australian Industry Group, the Business Council, the National Farmers Federation, AGL, BHP, Rio Tinto, Santos, Telstra, Origin, Energy Australia, the Property Council, the Aluminium Council and the Commonwealth Bank, among many others?

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I just responded in answer to the question from the Leader of the Opposition, the government has a very clear target for 2030, just as we had clear targets for 2020—which were not just achieved but beaten. Our performance in this area speaks loudly—

Mr Hill interjecting—

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

The member for Bruce.

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It shows that, since 2005, emissions in this country have fallen by 14 per cent. That compares to an OECD average of nine per cent—

Mr Georganas interjecting—

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

The member for Hindmarsh.

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

and zero per cent in Canada and only one per cent in New Zealand. So Australia continues to achieve when it comes to reducing emissions. We are signatories to the Paris Agreement and we have put in place measures that will ensure we will meet that commitment. It's important, I think, that there is a bipartisan commitment to the targets that have been set. Those opposite have no commitment to any target in 2030 at all. They have walked away from a target in 2030 because they wish to speak about something 30 years from now—something which, if they were to occupy the Treasury bench, they would have some responsibility for achieving.

As a share of the National Electricity Market, our generation from wind and solar is 18 per cent. The OECD average is two-thirds of that, at just 11 per cent, and the global average is 6½ per cent. Australia is achieving when it comes to reducing emissions and ensuring that renewable energy technologies are becoming a lasting and permanent feature of our energy mix here in Australia. But we're doing it through technology, not taxes.

I note this: of the many countries that have stated something about net zero by 2050, only four countries, through nationally determined contributions—that is the proper process for actually having a binding commitment with the overseeing accountabilities—have submitted that through the process internationally. Other countries may seek to do that. There are some 34 that have set out some longer-term strategies. But I note this: our government will always be up-front with Australians about their plans and policies. At the last election we were, and at the last election the Labor Party's policies, and the costs, were exposed. Our government will enact the policies that we took to the last election and which were supported by the Australian people. What we will also do, through a $1.9 billion investment in new technologies, is ensure that we meet all the challenges ahead. (Time expired)