Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I inform the chamber that Senator Waters will also sponsor the motion. At the request of Senators McAllister and Waters, I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes:

(i) that the Prime Minister told Parliament on 3 December 2020 that Australia would be participating at the Climate Ambition Summit on 12 December 2020 and that 'it will be a great opportunity to correct the mistruths...that are often presented',

(ii) that Climate Ambition Summit co-host and COP26 President Alok Sharma has stated that 'announcements must show genuine progress from existing policies and Paris targets' and that 'there will be no space for general statements', and

(iii) media reports that Australia does not have a confirmed speaking role at the summit; and

(b) calls on the Prime Minister to make clear whether Australia is speaking at the Climate Ambition Summit and table any correspondence with the summit organisers relating to whether Australia is speaking at the summit.

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

I seek leave to make a very 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

Australia has always been happy to participate in the summit and indicated our willingness to do so. So, in response to the invitation from Prime Minister Johnson and the other hosts, we welcome any opportunity to highlight Australia's outstanding record of exceeding our commitment to reduce emissions. From 2005 to 2018, we reduced emissions faster than comparable countries like Canada and New Zealand, and the latest data has us at 16.6 per cent lower than 2005 levels. The only endorsement the government seeks for its policies is that of the Australian people. At the last election, Australia voted for our practical, technology focused policies that reduce emissions while keeping the economy strong.

Malcolm Roberts (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) 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.

Malcolm Roberts (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

One Nation opposes this motion. I for one would be happy for our Prime Minister not to speak at the Climate Ambition Summit. Our Prime Minister has demonstrated that he will not put the interests of Australia first. On the international stage, under pressure, the Prime Minister turns to jelly and adopts the agenda of the United Nations without regard for the damage it does to our Australian economy or the lives of Australians. If Australians want someone to represent and fight for Australia, may I suggest Senator Hanson or I would be happy to take the Prime Minister's place.

An honourable senator interjecting—

The Greens won't debate me, so maybe some of their globalist masters will.

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

The question is that the motion moved by Senator Urquhart at the request of Senators McAllister and Waters be agreed to.