Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Energy and Resources. Is the government unequivocally committed to the continuation of a strong, profitable and job-creating coal industry in Australia and to its future expansion? If so, is the government prepared to stand up to the Greens and ensure that this vital industry is not damaged by the Green-Labor carbon tax and that no jobs will be lost?

Nick Sherry (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Minister Assisting the Minister for Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes.

Honourable Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

Senator Abetz is on his feet and is entitled to be heard in silence.

Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr President. Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. I note that there were two questions and we only got one answer, but we will take the pick in relation to which one Senator Sherry tried to answer. My supplementary question is: can the minister give an assurance that compensation to the coal industry for the carbon tax will be sufficient to ensure that there will be, as the Prime Minister said yesterday, a huge expansion in this industry?

Nick Sherry (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Minister Assisting the Minister for Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What I can say is that the government is committed to reducing Aust­ralia's greenhouse gas emissions as part of a global action, and the best way to achieve this is very clearly through a carbon price. The carbon price will allow business to make decisions on how to best manage their emissions, including investments in low-emission technologies, while meeting Australia's energy security needs. I also note that the business sector more broadly remains supportive of the need for a carbon tax—through you, Mr President, to Senator Abetz—and to reduce—

Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That's not quite right.

Nick Sherry (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Minister Assisting the Minister for Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

'More broadly remains', Senator.

Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Broadly!

Nick Sherry (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Minister Assisting the Minister for Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Broadly, Senator. So they remain broadly supportive of the need for a carbon price to reduce long-term investment uncertainty, which is particularly important. Feedback from business through the Investment Reference Group, which is an independent group of energy experts— (Time expired)

Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Two non-answers—we will try for a third. Does the government agree with the former ACTU president Jennie George and AWU secretary—the kingmaker—Paul Howes that the resource-intensive steel industry should be exempted from the government's carbon tax until similar regimes are implemented in competitor countries? Try a yes or a no to that one.

Nick Sherry (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Minister Assisting the Minister for Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I agree with government policy.