Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Stewart, for the supplementary question. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's latest Synthesis report makes clear there is a rapidly closing window for action and economic transition. Simply put, action is needed right now. We are starting well behind where we should, after a decade of denial, delay and dysfunction from those opposite. They had 22 failed energy policies and couldn't land one of them, and now there is the safeguard mechanism, which they seemingly oppose.

We have not wasted a single day since coming to office. The IPCC Synthesis report highlights the need for action. To keep 1½ degrees within reach, we have to act fast. The safeguard reforms could start to take effect on 1 July, just over a hundred days away. It's action that's needed now that will determine the future of our planet. I would urge senators to support the safeguard mechanism bill when it comes to this chamber later this week.