Susan Templeman (Macquarie, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. How will the Net Zero Economy Agency help strengthen Australia's economy, and who will be leading that work?

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Macquarie for her question and for her advocacy on behalf of her electorate, which is one of the electorates that will be impacted—the beautiful Blue Mountains and the wonderful electorate she represents on the outskirts of Sydney—if climate change is allowed to just continue into the future. That's why we adopted a net zero target by 2050, and that's why today I was very proud to announce the chair and advisory board of the Net Zero Economy Agency.

Last month, the government committed to this agency, in our budget, to establish it from 1 July. Its mission will be to ensure that the Australian economy, our workers and our regions are in the best possible position to realise the benefits that are there for moving to a net zero economy. It will make sure we're channelling investments into transformational projects, creating pathways for the workers and businesses that have powered Australia for generations to take advantage of these new opportunities.

I'm very pleased that Greg Combet has agreed to be the chair of that body. Greg Combet is someone who has a lifetime of service in government, in investment, in climate policy and in industrial relations.

Andrew Wallace (Fisher, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Wasn't he a minister in the Rudd government?

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm surprised that there's some interjection from those opposite, because the former government—the Morrison government—appointed Greg Combet to serve on the National COVID-19 Coordination Commission in recognition of his expertise and his capacity.

He will be advised by a very impressive group of experts and professionals: Professor Ross Garnaut, of course; Professor Paul Simshauser; Anthea Harris, the CEO of the Australian Energy Regulator; Nicole Lockwood, the chair of Infrastructure WA; Michele O’Neil, the president of the ACTU; Kellie Parker, the CEO of Rio Tinto Australia; Anthea Harris, the CEO of the Australian Energy Regulator; Professor Robynne Quiggin, the pro-vice chancellor of UTS; Tony Maher, the general president of the Mining and Energy Union; Laura Tyler, the chief technical officer of BHP; and Anna Skarbek, the CEO of ClimateWorks and a director of the Green Building Council of Australia.

This will be an important body that will have an important task of making sure that the community comes with the nation as we move forward to net zero, that we take advantage of the opportunities, which are there. That's why today's announcement is an important step, going forward in a positive way.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The Minister for Resources and the member for Fisher will cease their conversation across the chamber.