Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Water) Share this | Hansard source

Because we on this side want to hold to our election commitment—because we on this side believe it is important to act on climate change—we have made significant concessions to see action taken to ensure we move from policy to action. The final package being offered by the government includes a number of gains for the environment as well as delivering significant additional assistance to help Australian industry make the transition to a low-carbon future.

At the same time as doing all of this, the government will maintain the level of support for households that we promised. Action on climate change this week will give Australian businesses the certainty that they need to make the investments we want them to make. It will mean that Australia goes to Copenhagen with a means to deliver our targets—the targets those opposite have supported. We have delayed action on climate change too long: it is now time to act. (Time expired)