Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that;

(i) in December 2015, leaders from across the globe will meet in Paris to determine the way forward to address climate change, and

(ii) People's Climate Marches are:

  (A) being organised in hundreds of cities around the world on the last weekend of November 2015 to send a message to world leaders that strong action on climate change is necessary and possible, and

  (B) scheduled to take place that weekend in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Hobart and Cairns;

(b) applauds the organisers and participants of the marches both overseas and in Australia for their commitment and efforts; and

(c) endorses the message that Australia can, and should, do more to address climate change.

Scott Ryan (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Deputy President, I seek leave to make a one-minute statement.

Leave granted.

The government is taking a strong, credible and responsible approach to addressing climate change through policies which actually reduce Australia's emissions without a reckless carbon tax that punishes Australian families and businesses. The Emissions Reduction Fund actually reduces emissions—92 million tonnes in the first and second round ERF auctions. Unlike other countries, when Australia announces a target, we meet it. We beat our first Kyoto target and we are on track to meet and beat our 2020 target. We will reduce our greenhouse emissions by 26 to 28 per cent by 2030 from 2005 levels. Per capita emissions will be up to 52 per cent lower—the largest drop of any developed country. This is a strong, credible and responsible target. Australia is engaging constructively in international processes to finalise a new global climate change agreement at the December 2015 Paris conference. We are confident that Paris will deliver a strong global commitment involving action by all countries to help achieve the two-degrees goal.

Question agreed to.