Barnaby Joyce (Queensland, National Party, Leader of The Nationals in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I note that the Senate Community Affairs References Committee is currently inquiring into the Commonwealth funding and administration of mental health services and has received over 1,000 submissions. I also note that the Climate Commission's report The critical decade states on page 42 that there is 'a high degree of uncertainty in our current understanding'. It continues:

Observational records show no changes beyond natural variability in either the frequency of cyclones or their storm tracks. … it is not yet possible to attribute any aspect of changes in cyclone behaviour (frequency, intensity, rainfall, etc.) to climate change …

The floods across eastern Australia in 2010 and early 2011 were the consequence of a very strong La Niña event, and not the result of climate change.

That is from the government's own report that I imagine the Greens have agreed to. It also seems spurious that this motion states that positive mental health is the key to tackling rural climate change. An article I have read states:

In addition, water policy changes, a national oversupply of grapes combined with a global economic down turn and international competition are starting to take their toll on grape growers …

I would say that that has got far more to do with depression in regional areas than climate change. Item (b) of Senator Wright's motion does include some items that would seem prudent and understandable. But relating those matters to issues pertaining to climate change makes this motion something that the coalition cannot support.