Stephen Parry (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I inform the Senate that, at 8.30 am today, Senators Fifield and Siewert each submitted a letter in accordance with standing order 75, proposing a matter of public importance. The question of which proposal would be submitted to the Senate was determined by lot. As a result, I call on the matter proposed by Senator Siewert, namely:

Cutting the budget of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency by $100m slows down Australia’s transition to a low carbon economy and ignores the evidence provided by the Australian Energy Market Operator showing that achieving 100% renewable energy is technically straightforward and increases in electricity prices would be similar to business as usual projections.

Is the proposal supported?

More than the number of senators required by the standing orders having risen in their places—