Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I want to thank all of those who have contributed to the second reading debate on the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Amendment Bill 2008. The National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act establishes a framework for the collection of high-quality greenhouse and energy data. This data will be used to inform government policy, meet Australia’s international reporting obligations and allow for the elimination of duplicated greenhouse gas and energy reporting requirements in government programs. The act will also provide data which will be used in the development of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. This bill will enhance the act by allowing the public and investors to access more information on the greenhouse gas emissions and energy performance of Australian corporations. This bill will also improve administration of the act, simplify the registration process for Australian corporations and clarify details relating to auditing of corporations’ reports. The act facilitates reduction in the number of reports that businesses are required to submit under the current patchwork of greenhouse and energy programs across jurisdictions.

This bill confirms the government’s commitment to ensuring the system is implemented efficiently and effectively to reduce the regulatory burden on Australian corporations. As I said at the beginning, I thank the senators in the debate on the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Amendment Bill 2008 and I commend the bill to the Senate.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.