Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes, with regret, the resignation of Mr Bernie Fraser as Chair of the independent Climate Change Authority 2 years before the expiry of his 5 year term;

(b) congratulates Mr Fraser on his outstanding service as chair of the board and his contribution to the work of the Authority;

(c) notes that the Authority now no longer has a quorum; and

(d) calls on the Federal Government to:

(i) immediately appoint a replacement chair to ensure that the board is able to function and allow the work of the Authority to proceed,

(ii) abandon its plan to abolish the Authority, and

(iii) stop ignoring the Authority’s advice on the need for ambitious pollution reduction targets to safeguard Australians’ way of life from dangerous global warming.

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

Mr President, 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

The government is opposing this motion but does thank Mr Bernie Fraser for his work as Chair of the Climate Change Authority. He has had a significant career in public service. The CCA will continue to function effectively, with necessary decision-making delegations in place along with highly capable staff. Professor David Karoly, a member of the CCA, has been delegated with responsibility for its official duties. The government is already moving to make appointments to fill vacancies on the board of the CCA.

Question agreed to.