Anne McEwen (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Climate Change, Energy Efficiency and Water, Senator Wong. Can the minister advise the Senate on the latest advice on the best way to achieve emissions reductions in Australia and is the minister aware of alternative views?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Water) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator McEwen for the question. Today we have seen further evidence of the need for a carbon price in Australia so that polluters are forced to pay for their carbon pollution—the carbon pollution that is causing climate change. A report that will be formally launched on Friday by ClimateWorks Australia makes it very clear that a carbon price as well as targeted practical measures are critical to achieving the reductions in carbon pollution in this country.

We know that the only policy being put forward by a major party in this country that involves a price on carbon is the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. The report released today shows that a carbon price—that is, making polluters pay—is essential to driving an emissions reduction across the economy. I refer to what the ClimateWorks Executive Director, Anna Skarbek, told the ABC this morning when she spoke about a five per cent target. She said:

Without a carbon price, our analysis shows by 2020 emissions would continue to rise under that scenario.

That is precisely Tony Abbott’s policy: a policy on climate change that does not do anything about climate change, a policy on climate change that ensures that emissions will rise, policy on climate change that ignores the need for making sure that polluters pay and a policy on climate change that ignores the advice that was finally taken even by former Prime Minister, John Howard. The reality is any policy that claims—

Honourable Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Senator Wong, resume your seat. When there is silence, we will proceed.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Water) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Any policy that claims you can even meet a five per cent target without a carbon price is simply a con and that is what the opposition’s policy is, nothing more than a climate change con job. (Time expired)

Honourable Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

When there is silence, Senator McEwen, I will call you.

Anne McEwen (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Can the minister advise the Senate on whether there are any alternative proposals to reduce greenhouse emissions?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Water) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We know there used to be bipartisan agreement on the need for a price on pollution—a price on carbon—to tackle climate change. Let us remind ourselves who was a part of that: John Howard, Peter Costello, Malcolm Turnbull and, remember, even TonyAbbott. Even Tony Abbott agreed. But as Mr Abbott made clear to Mr Turnbull last year on this issue, he is ‘a weather vane’. That is a good position for somebody who is aspiring to be the Prime Minister of this nation, ‘Hello, I am a weather vane.’

Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In budgie smugglers.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Water) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In budgie smugglers. It does not bear thinking about. Mr Turnbull told Four Corners last night:

Tony shifted his ground a number of times.

Mr Abbott now believes that climate change is ‘absolute crap’. He is advocating a position which will ensure that Australia’s emissions keep rising. What Mr Abbott is confirming is that you just cannot trust what he says. (Time expired)

Honourable Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! I remind senators that the time for debating this issue, if you wish to debate it, is at the end of question time.

Anne McEwen (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Can the minister advise the Senate on the effect of these alternative proposals on greenhouse emissions?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Water) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We know from departmental analyses and we also know from the analyses of independent bodies such as ClimateWorks that the sorts of policies that are being proposed by Mr Abbott simply cannot achieve a five per cent target. This is the lie at the core of the Liberals’ policy. Mr Abbott signed up to the bipartisan targets. Even Senator Joyce has signed up to a five per cent target, but Mr Abbott—

Honourable Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Wong, resume your seat until there is silence. Resume your answer, Senator Wong.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Water) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr President. But Mr Abbott’s policy would actually see Australia’s emissions increase by 13 per cent by 2020. What is the point of a climate change policy that actually does nothing about climate change? That is Mr Abbott’s policy. The fact is that we know you have to put a price on pollution if you are going to tackle climate change.

Honourable Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! When there is silence on both sides, Senator Bernardi, I will give you the call. Order! I call Senator Bernardi.