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

I thank Senator Stewart for the supplementary question. The Albanese government has worked constructively with businesses to formulate a plan that will end the policy uncertainty and enable a predictable emissions reduction pathway to net zero by 2050. The safeguard mechanism reforms are the next step in supporting Australia's biggest emitters to remain competitive in a decarbonising global economy whilst reducing their emissions.

These reforms, importantly, are supported by the Business Council of Australia, the Australian Industry Group and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who have publicly supported this approach through the reforms to the safeguard mechanism. We cannot squander this opportunity that we can take to get moving, to cover the 215 facilities covered by the mechanism. Many of them have already signed up to net zero by 2050. We don't want to end up where we were years ago under this mob, where we had a total lack of action on climate change. (Time expired)