Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Hansard source

There was a time when the coalition took a responsible approach to this policy. People might recall in 2006 former Prime Minister John Howard being prepared to address this policy sensibly. People might recall in 2007 the coalition going to an election with a sensible policy to price carbon. But now what we see is the coalition led by a man who will always put pragmatism and politics over good policy and over what is important for Australia's future. No-one watching 7.30 last night could be in any doubt about what sort of leader Mr Abbott is: politics first and never the national interest—always the politics first. I would say this: in years to come—in five or 10 or 15 years time—people will judge those on that side of the chamber very harshly by the lack of responsibility they showed when it came to this important issue of tackling climate change.