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

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Cormann. In September the Minister for Natural Disaster and Emergency Management, now the Deputy Leader of the National Party, David Littleproud, said:

I don't know if climate change is man made.

Does the Deputy Leader of the National Party's statement reflect the government's position?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government's position is well known and well understood. We are committed to effective action on climate change and we are committed to a policy agenda which is environmentally effective and economically responsible. That is, of course, what we have been pursuing very successfully over the last 6½ years in government. Indeed, our commitment to an internationally agreed emissions reduction target has been consistent all the way through—through the Abbott government, the Turnbull government and now the Morrison government. Indeed, if you look at our—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order, Senator Cormann! Senator McAllister, on a point of order?

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

It goes to relevance. The question is whether or not the government accepts that climate change is man made.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That was part of the question, Senator McAllister. I think, with respect, Senator Cormann is being directly relevant to the question asked.

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Just to again confirm the government's position: we are committed to effective action on climate change. If you consider our performance against the 2020 emissions reduction target agreed to in Kyoto, we are beating that target. We are one of only a handful of countries that are beating their Kyoto emissions reduction target. Indeed, we are on track to meet our 2030—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Senator Wong, on a point of order?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's on direct relevance, Mr President. I listened to your ruling earlier. The opposition would like some clarification on what the other aspects are of the question to which you believe the minister is being relevant. There was a reference to the deputy leader, then there was a quote and then there was a question about whether that statement reflects the government's position. I would ask you, Mr President, to indicate what are the other aspects of—

An honourable senator interjecting—

I'm entitled to do this, thank you. I would ask you, Mr President, to advise the chamber as to what are the other aspects of the question to which you believe the minister is being relevant.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Cormann, on the point of order?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On the point of order: I was asked a question about the position of the government in relation to climate change. I'm answering it in a manner that is directly relevant.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On the point of order: you're quite right, Senator Wong. You had a quote there from the minister at the time and then a question that related to the quote. With respect, I think the minister is being directly relevant to the quote and the question in the subject matter he is dealing with. I can't instruct him how to answer a question. I think what he's saying is directly relevant to the quote and the question. I'm happy to review the Hansard. If I'm wrong, I will say so and I will be happy to take submissions on it. People are seeking me to direct the minister on how to answer a question, which is outside my capacity.

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As is well understood, the government absolutely accepts that climate change is a global problem that needs to be addressed in a globally coordinated fashion. Indeed, Australia, as part of the global community, is doing its bit to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and is doing so in a way that is environmentally effective and economically responsible. Indeed, if you look at our commitment to 2030 on a per capita basis it means a reduction in emissions by 50 per cent. On the basis of our emissions per unit of GDP we are committed to a reduction of two-thirds, which is more ambitious than the European Union, Canada, New Zealand and many other countries. What matters here is the policy position of the government. The policy position is very clear. We are committed to effective action on climate change, and we will leave the theological arguments to the Labor Party and the Greens.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator McAllister, a supplementary question?

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

Thanks, Mr President. When asked about the cause of climate change on the ABC's Q&A last Monday, Senator Molan said:

As to whether it is human-induced climate change, my mind is open.

Does Senator Molan's statement reflect the government's position?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm asked about Senator Molan. Let me say what a fine senator he is for the great state of New South Wales. What an outstanding job he did working up and down the coast of New South Wales supporting bushfire affected communities. He is a fine senator, indeed. Senator Molan, like any individual senator in this place, is of course entitled to his opinions. But, as far as the government is concerned, the government's position is very clear. We are committed to effective action on climate change. as part of a globally coordinated effort. Our targets—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator McAllister on a point of order.

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

My point of order again goes to relevance. Senator Cormann has been asked to provide advice as to whether Senator Molan's position reflects the government's position. Senator Molan's position specifically goes to whether climate change is human induced. I am asking Senator Cormann to answer that question.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I appreciate that very-well-put point of order, but I think it goes to me instructing a minister how to answer a question. People are entitled to judge ministers' answers to questions. As long as they are directly relevant, they are within standing orders. I do believe that the material the minister is addressing is directly relevant to the question, and I call him to continue.

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you very much, Mr President. Let me say again very slowly: our government is committed to effective action on climate change. We are doing so in a way that is environmentally effective and economically responsible, and we are doing it as part of the global community.

Honourable senators interjecting—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order on my left! Senator Cormann, please resume your seat. If I can't hear Senator Cormann's quite loud voice then there is way too much noise in the chamber. Senator Cormann to continue.

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you very much, Mr President. We are part of the global community of nations, which is committed to effective action on climate change. (Time expired)

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator McAllister, a final supplementary question?

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

Thank you, Mr President. Once more: does the Morrison government accept that climate change is human induced?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes.

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is put to me often that question time is a forum for the opposition. Time is being wasted by virtue of the interjections. I need silence before I call Senator Smith. Senator Smith.