Christine Milne (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) congratulates United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon on inviting world leaders from government, business and civil society to the Climate Summit on 23 September 2014 to ensure a global response to our shared responsibility in limiting global warming to less than two degrees;

(b) acknowledges That the UN Climate Summit was another step in the right direction of transitioning away from fossil fuels towards a shared, low carbon future;

(c) recognises the 700 000 people around the world who took part in the People's Climate March rallies on the weekend of 20 September and 21 September 2014 to inspire parties to set ambitious greenhouse emission reduction targets for beyond 2020; and

(d) requests That the Government immediately outline its plan on how it will ensure Australia contributes its fair share to the global effort, based on the recommendations of the Climate Change Authority, well in advance of the Paris Conference of the Parties.

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This is a stunt from the Australian Greens. Like the Australian Labor Party, they are not interested in serious solutions. They are not interested in serious outcomes. The Minister for Foreign Affairs attended the United Nations climate summit in New York, given her responsibility for leading Australia's international climate change engagement. At the climate summit the foreign minister delivered a national statement noting that Australia is taking serious practical action to reduce emissions both at home and abroad while also stimulating economic growth; that the government will host an Asia-Pacific rainforest summit in Sydney in November 2014; that Australia has joined the declaration on phasing down climate potent hydroflourocarbons on Australia's behalf, with around 30 other countries; and Australia will contribute to a new global climate change agreement that establishes a common playing field for all countries to take climate action from 2020.

The coalition is committed to reducing Australia's emissions by five per cent below 2000 levels by 2020. The direct action plan with the emissions reduction fund at its centre will help achieve our 2020 target.

Question agreed to.