Ian Campbell (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for the Environment and Heritage) Share this | Hansard source

I have changed my language, and I am very glad that Senator Milne at least has picked it up, because it is a very important issue. There are two key factors. Firstly, Australia did make a policy commitment to achieve 108 per cent and we are committed to doing that. Senator Milne asked the reason why there is some risk we might go over 108 per cent. That risk has always been there. We have consistently tracked towards 108, but the risk of going over, when you have an economy that is growing at the rate that we are going with the expansion of industry and housing, is always there. The reason we have stayed below 108 per cent is that we have a range of very effective policy measures engaging the business community, the farm sector and the local government sector. There is $2 billion worth of expenditure from the Commonwealth government on programs like the photovoltaic rebate scheme, putting 12,000 solar cells on top of roofs; getting rid of deforestation in Australia; getting rid of land clearing in virtually every state of Australia; and planting 20 million hectares of trees. All of those measures will save around 85 megatons of carbon and will help us get towards our target. But, yes, there is a risk of going over. The reason I have changed my language is that, as we go to the United Nations framework convention meetings each year—and I will be attending the meeting in Nairobi—