Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Hansard source

The basis of our commitment is as part of the international community doing our bit to help reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. That's the basis. We are committed to a sensible climate change policy which appropriately balances environmental protection with economic responsibility. That has always been our position. As a country, not only have we met but we have exceeded or are exceeding the emissions reduction targets agreed to in Kyoto, and we are on track and have a plan to meet our emissions reduction targets agreed to in Paris. We are a good global citizen. There is a global challenge that needs to be addressed. We are doing our bit—sensibly and responsibly and proportionately—to contribute to meeting that challenge.

In relation to the CSIRO specifically, the CSIRO is a national treasure. It undertakes essential science and research which improves our lives and helps grow our economy. CSIRO stands behind its researchers and the integrity of the research produced by them. Their demonstrated record of scientific excellence is underpinned by their commitment to full and transparent participation in the scientific peer review process, which results in evidence based science of the highest quality, including making data publicly available. CSIRO is in the top 0.1 per cent of the world for its four core fields of science, and it's in the world's top one per cent for the other 14 fields. They rank in the top three of the world's national science agencies for impact. I note that the CSIRO has provided briefings to Senator Roberts in the past. I also note that Senator Roberts has asked a number of questions which CSIRO has responded to and will, of course, continue to respond to moving forward. I hope that that appropriately addresses Senator Roberts' question.