Fatima Payman (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Well, here we are again. It's another hypocritical climate change motion from the Greens. They're all about the action on climate change and the environment when it suits their political purpose and TikTok accounts, but when push comes to shove they haven't got a clue. Never forget that it was the Greens who sided with the 'no-alition' in 2009 to vote down the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. I really don't know why the Greens come in here pointing the finger after they helped instigate almost a decade of climate policy failure. I've said it once and I'll say it again: the Albanese government won't be lectured to on climate policies by the Greens. While the Greens continue to do what they do best—that is, be a roadblock to positive reform—the government will get on with the job. As the youngest person in this debate, I understand the critical importance of strong climate policy. I know it's what's needed to ensure a sustainable Australia for my generation and for those to come, and I'm proud that this Albanese Labor government is taking action.

The Greens obviously have a hard time understanding good policy, so let me spell it out for them. One of the first acts of the Albanese government was to legislate a climate target. In doing so we enshrined into law a reduction in emissions of 43 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030 and net zero by 2050. This is bolstered by our safeguard mechanism, which will apply to all large facilities that have more than 100,000 tons of emissions each year. I also note that Minister Plibersek was the first environment minister in Australian history to reject a coal project, and the minister will continue to exercise her responsibilities under the legislation and consider the merits of each application on a case-by-case basis.

Make no mistake: it is the Labor government that is driving Australia's transition to renewable energy. But thanks to the noalition and the not-so-Greens, we're further behind than we should be. Those opposite refused to act on climate change for a decade. They've repealed climate laws, laughed at rising sea levels in the Pacific and announced 22—yes, 22—different energy policies, but landed none.

Overturning almost a decade of climate policy failure is not easy, but we're on the right track. The Albanese government has doubled the number of renewable energy approvals, and we now have a record of 104 renewable projects in the pipeline. In addition, we've committed to $2 billion for green hydrogen, $1.6 billion for home and small business electrification, $20 billion for Rewiring the Nation, and $3 billion for renewables and low-emission technologies as part of the National Reconstruction Fund. We've also set up a new environmental protection agency, established a massive new offshore wind project around the country, proclaimed 10 new Indigenous protected areas, legislated the nature repair market, passed stronger laws to protect the ozone layer, and funded 57 plastic recycling facilities. But, above all, we've set a clear path for net zero by 2050 without compromising the economy.

Despite this government's record achievements and the fact that the Greens enabled those opposite to launch a decade of climate chaos, they still have the audacity to come in here and point the finger at Labor and post it on TikTok. If Senator McKim wants to blame someone on his social media for climate inaction, he should just post a selfie. Seriously, calling yourself the Greens is beginning to look like false advertising. If the Greens really cared about the climate and the environment they would put an end to those cheap political stunts and get out of the way of positive and progressive reforms.