George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

Senator Carr, that is not the case. What we are talking about, Senator Carr, are the consequences of inaction and the need for action. Senator Carr, you may refer to a document that demonstrates what would be the consequences of inaction. That is the very reason why we are taking action. It is the very reason why this is an important issue to be dealt with now, so we can ensure that Australians have affordable electricity prices—unlike the period of the Labor government, when electricity prices doubled—and they can have reliable supply, unlike their experience under the Labor government, in particular in South Australia. That entire state was blacked out as a result of a policy driven by ideology rather than engineering. And it is also to ensure that we adhere to our international commitments to reduce carbon emissions.