Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At the request of Senator Rice, I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) transport accounts for almost 20% of Australia's carbon emissions,

  (ii) preliminary estimates suggest that, due to the pandemic, emissions from the consumption of petrol, diesel and jet fuel as at June 2020 have fallen 17.9% relative to June 2019,

  (iii) Australia must reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 75% on 2005 levels by 2030 and to net zero by 2035 in order to meet its Paris Agreement targets, and

  (iv) the use of bicycles and other forms of active transport has surged as Australians respond to the challenges of the pandemic; and

(b) calls on the Government to act to permanently reduce our transport carbon pollution by:

  (i) investing in active transport infrastructure, public transport, and high speed rail, and

  (ii) supporting the uptake of electric vehicles, including through investment in renewable energy to power them.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

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

Leave is granted for one minute.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government has a strong record on delivering a real reduction in emissions, down 1.4 per cent in the year to March 2020. We have strong targets and a clear plan to achieve them. The government's record $100 billion infrastructure pipeline is supporting public transport, including active transport and rail projects right across the nation. The government is also developing a strategy to ensure that consumers are empowered to choose their preferred future fuel technology, whether that is electric vehicles, hybrids, biofuels or hydrogen.

Question negatived.