Fatima Payman (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Senator Wong. The Liberals and Nationals wasted nearly a decade with denial and inaction on climate change. It created uncertainty for industry and left Australia without a clear pathway for our energy future. How is the Albanese Government investing in futureproofing our energy system and taking action on climate change?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you to Senator Payman for the question. This is one of the big differences between this side of the chamber and the other side of the chamber. They—

Honourable Senator:

An honourable senator interjecting—

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Well, it's true that we don't have our climate policy determined by Barnaby Joyce; that's true. We are taking action on this side of the chamber to ensure Australia's positioned to become a renewable energy superpower. The budget funds critical investments to save Australians money on their energy bills and to support nation-building new industries. Everyone knows that, for too long, Australians were left behind, under the Liberals and Nationals, while the rest of the world moved to take advantage of the economic opportunities that come with action on cleaner, cheaper energy.

Opposition senators interjecting—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order!

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Now the Albanese government is acting on the mandate of the Australian people—which I know Senator Hughes has a lot of difficulty with—who clearly voted for action, particularly in Victoria, on climate change last year.

Honourable senators interjecting—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Wong, please resume your seat.

Order, Senator Watt!

Senator Henderson. Senator Henderson!

Senator Henderson, I've called you to order three times. Minister, please continue.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I said, the Australian people clearly voted for action on climate change last year, and this government is responding to that call from the Australian people. We are rewiring the nation: we are funding the Rewiring the Nation plan—a $20 billion investment in connecting landmark renewable energy projects with the grid—

Honourable senators interjecting—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order!

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

so they are powering Australian homes and businesses. This budget also provides funding for the capacity investment scheme, underwriting investment to bring on new supply of clean dispatchable power across the country.

Honourable senators interjecting—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order, across the chamber.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Let's remember what their legacy was: four gigs out, one gig in. Let's remember: that's what you delivered to the Australian people.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Payman, a first supplementary?

Fatima Payman (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can the minister please explain to the Senate how these investments will strengthen our economy and create employment opportunities?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government's plan, the Albanese government's budget, isn't just a plan for cleaner and cheaper energy. It's an economic plan, because those opposite might like to continue to fight the wars of times past, but the reality is: Australia fell behind the pack in the global race for new energy jobs and investment, and across this country we need to support businesses and governments—

Hon. Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Senator Hughes, and a lot of people on my left and across the chamber on my right: the interjections are disorderly, and particularly across the chamber. Minister, please continue.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I know it's difficult for them to hear something positive on climate; they've always found it hard. And, eventually, the Australian people just said, 'Enough is enough.'

In Australia we need to support businesses and governments to harness their immense potential to build new industries and create jobs, which is why we are establishing a new Net Zero Authority. It will help workers in emissions-intensive sectors to access new employment skills and support, as the net zero transformation continues. The authority is about ensuring no-one is left behind. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Payman, a second supplementary?

Fatima Payman (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thirteen months in, and our government hasn't wasted a single day—great to hear! The Liberals' and Nationals' delay—

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Payman, please resume your seat.

Opposition senators interjecting—

Order on my left. Order! I could not even hear the question. Senator Payman, please start your question again.

Fatima Payman (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I won't mention the first comment. The Liberals' and Nationals' denial and delay on climate action left industry with no certainty. How does the Albanese—

Honourable senators interjecting—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Payman, please resume your seat. I've just sat Senator Payman down and called for order, and almost immediately, when I invited her to continue with her question, the disorder started again. That is disrespectful. Senator Payman, please continue.

Fatima Payman (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Liberals' and Nationals' denial and delay on climate action left industry with no certainty. Minister, how does the Albanese government's budget invest in new, job-creating industries?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Members of this government understand the immense potential our country has as a renewable energy superpower. It's why we're investing $2 billion in the Hydrogen Headstart program—

Hon. Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Why do they hate clean energy and renewable energy so much? That is the question, isn't it? Listen to them. Why do they hate clean energy and renewable energy so much?

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator McAllister! Order! This is question time. I should not have to be calling the chamber—

Senator Rennick! Most of the comments so far have come from the President. It is not question time for me—or comment time for me—it's question time across the chamber, and I am constantly having to call people to order. Minister, please continue.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This government is investing $2 billion in the Hydrogen Headstart program to bridge the commercial gap between the cost of hydrogen production from renewables and its current market price for early projects. It aims to support two to three flagship large-scale projects to deliver up to a gigawatt of electrolyser capacity by 2030. In turn, Australia will be able to take advantage of the immense jobs and investment potential of the technology. This is about secure jobs with a long-term future and Australia being a global leader in hydrogen.