Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the minister representing the Minister for the Environment and Energy, Senator Birmingham. The US has just seen the most costly natural disaster in their history with Hurricane Harvey causing an estimated $180 billion in damage. Harvey broke a number of US climate records, including for a single rainfall event. Another hurricane, Irma—one of the most powerful storms ever recorded—is now tracking towards Florida. It's worth noting that Irma's destructive wind speeds are beyond the theoretical maximum provided by models for the Atlantic. In other words, meteorologists are saying that they had never expected or predicted a storm like Irma. Is the minister aware that climate scientists are highlighting that unpredicted, exceedingly high ocean temperatures have triggered both these historical superstorms?

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I note, Senator Whish-Wilson's very lengthy question that concluded by asking me if I am aware of what unnamed climate scientists may have said in relation to certain storms that—perhaps rather than having a long preamble, he could have directly cited any such climate scientists and made sure that there was a direct reference to what it is that he is alluding to. No, I'm not aware of the particular unnamed scientists that you're referring to. The minister may well be; his department may well be. I'm happy to take that on notice.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Whish-Wilson, a supplementary question.

Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Given what has also happened recently in Australia, with at least half the Great Barrier Reef now dead from back-to-back coral bleaching and tropical storms also caused by warmer-than-forecast ocean temperatures—I hope the minister has had his brief on this one—does the government accept that rising ocean temperatures are already an existential global risk right now and will only worsen without vastly accelerated climate action?

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On this occasion, at least the question goes to something in terms of climate action and also, of course, it goes to matters that are particularly relevant in terms of the scale of government action that is being taken around the protection of the Great Barrier Reef. Australia is making, as it has always done, major contributions in relation to emissions reductions worldwide. We have set targets—targets that are amongst the highest in the world on a per-capita basis in terms of emissions reduction targets for the future. And we will, as we have always, meet those targets, meet and exceed those targets I expect, as we have always done, and as we are doing again in relation to our 2020 targets. Equally, in relation to the Great Barrier Reef, we are doing record amounts in conjunction with the Queensland government in terms of investment, focus and action to protect the Great Barrier Reef. The focus is on practical action—

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Whish-Wilson, a point of order?

Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

A point on relevance, Mr President. I asked whether he accepted that warming waters presented an existential risk to us and to the Great Barrier Reef now. That hasn't been answered.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Whish-Wilson. You did ask: 'Does the government accept that?' It's implicit in the minister's answer of all the mitigating efforts the government has taken that it probably does accept. I can only deduce that from the answer the minister has given, so I determine he's directly relevant. Minister.

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Strong action in terms of our emissions reduction policies, but, more importantly, in terms of our investment in the Great Barrier Reef and ensuring its health— (Time expired)

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Whish-Wilson, a final supplementary question.

Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Warming waters in our oceans are damaging our fisheries industry, destroying the reef, intensifying storms, droughts and bushfires. Can the minister outline what the economic costs of these events are in relation to warming waters, what the projections or models the government has for these future impacts, and does he believe that the government is doing everything it can in its power to protect us from a frightening future under climate change?

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government takes all of these matters seriously. In terms of issues of adaptation, we of course have long supported and, indeed, continued funding, after the Labor Party had ceased budget funding, for the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility and we made sure that work continued to help enhance Australia's preparedness for the future. We, as I outlined in the previous answer, are undertaking record levels of investment in terms of support for the reef and in terms of its capability to be resilient in the future—

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

A point of order, Senator Whish-Wilson?

Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It goes to relevance, Mr President. The answer is very similar to the one given to the last question that I asked. I was very specific: can the minister outline what the economic costs are of these extreme weather events and what the government's projections are in relation to future impacts?

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I do accept your point of order, Senator Whish-Wilson, on this occasion. Minister, I remind you of the question.

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What I was seeking to highlight—

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Hinch, on the same point of order?

Derryn Hinch (Victoria, Derryn Hinch's Justice Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, as it may affect question time, the High Court has cleared the way for the government—

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That is not a point of order, Senator Hinch. Senator Birmingham, you have the call.

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I was outlining, the government, in terms of the potential impacts of climate change, the potential impacts on the reef and the potential economic impacts, take this seriously, which is why we continue to support research funding and work around adaptation and which is why we continue to invest in building the resilience of the reef. (Time expired)