House debates
Thursday, 28 October 2021
Questions without Notice
Climate Change
2:25 pm
Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
My question is to the Prime Minister. It follows my last question, about why it is that modelling for his net zero policy has not been released. Is he aware that a senior official has just told Senate estimates, 'We are finalising the writing up of that work'? How is it that this Prime Minister released his so-called plan—where, between him and the minister, he said 'plan' 94 times—but doesn't actually have one and doesn't have modelling that he can table? (Time expired)
Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
The modelling will be released in the next couple of weeks. It will be there for everybody to see. The plan has been released; I've tabled it in the parliament—
Opposition members interjecting—
Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
It will form part of our nationally determined contribution at COP26.
Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
The member for McEwen will leave under standing order 94(a).
The member for McEwen then left the chamber.
Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
It sets out—
Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
The member for Kingsford Smith will follow him!
The member for Kingsford Smith then left the chamber.
Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
It sets out that our 2030 commitment—our government has a 2030 commitment; the opposition still doesn't have a 2030 target at all. They don't have one! They can't speak to one, because it isn't there. We have one; we took it to the last election. It was supported by the Australian people. The Labor Party had one: it was 45 per cent and it was rejected by the Australian people and those opposite have been sitting there twiddling their thumbs about what it should be ever since. They don't know whether it should be high—
Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
No, I just say to the Prime Minister that there wasn't an opportunity in this question to speak about the opposition policies.
Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
Thank you, Mr Speaker. The net zero by 2050 position that the government has arrived at has been arrived at based on the modelling that has been done by the government through the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources—a highly competent department, led by Secretary Fredericks, who I know is well regarded around the Public Service. And that document will be released in the next few weeks; it will be there and they'll be able to see it. They'll be able to see what it does, through the plan that we're putting in place, with technology not taxes and respecting people's choices—
Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
The member for Corangamite is now warned!
Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
not seeking to legislate what people should do in their lives, in their businesses, on their farms or in their minds. That's what the Labor Party wants to do. Not us!—
Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
We want to let the Australian economy achieve this target, and we know it can. We know that Australians can achieve this, because emissions have already fallen by more than 20 per cent.
Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
The Prime Minister will resume his seat. The Manager of Opposition Business on a point of order?
Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Arts) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
Yes, Mr Speaker, on direct relevance. The question goes to the Prime Minister being asked about modelling and never once letting us know the document doesn't even exist!
Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
No, the Manager of Opposition Business won't use the opportunity to try to give a statement or ask a different question. Has the Prime Minister concluded?
Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
Just before you recommence: there isn't an opportunity to talk about opposition policies in your answer. The Prime Minister.
Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
That's because they don't have any, Mr Speaker! They don't have any targets and they don't have any plans for 2050—
Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
So I can't help there, Mr Speaker!
Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
No, but maybe you had better wind up your answer.
Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
I'm happy to conclude on that note.