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

In relation to expectations, obviously Australia will continue to play the constructive role that we have played internationally on the issue of climate change since this government was elected. Obviously these international negotiations are not easy, and it is true that the issue of the Kyoto protocol is something that I have no doubt will be discussed.

At Durban I am advised that our priority is to take forward a range of the structures and systems that support global action on climate change. These include, first, the progress of new global markets for trading in carbon permits, something that those opposite used to support but appear now to be walking away from; second, an adaptation framework, which is intended to help vulnerable developing countries manage the impacts of unavoidable climate change; and, third, establishing a framework to reduce deforestation in developing countries.

It is the case that we need comprehensive and concerted global action if we are to avoid dangerous climate change. It is also true that the Kyoto protocol has been a core part of progress for the past two decades and many of its elements will be important to the post-2012 global framework.