Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) Share this | Hansard source

Senator Boswell, again, has got it all wrong. This is a government, a government of which I am very proud to belong, which has provided some $2.75 billion to assist industry to deal with issues relating to climate change. The costs of inaction are much much greater than the costs of action, Senator Boswell—a simple proposition you have failed to understand. The costs of inaction will be much greater in terms of the impact on jobs and on business opportunities, on the economy and on the prosperity of this nation. In particular, the persons who will most bear that burden will be the weakest and the poorest members of our community. The failure of the coalition to face up to their social responsibilities means that the workers and small business people are the ones who will carry the burden of your failure. (Time expired)