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

My question is to Senator Gallagher, the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment and Water. There have been some disturbing reports today that the Great Barrier Reef is on the brink of a seventh mass coral bleaching. Could you please update the Senate and the Australian people on this disturbing news? When will we know for certain that this has occurred?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Whish-Wilson, for the question. I haven't seen those reports this morning, I must say, but I am aware, obviously, of the issue of coral bleaching and the impact on the Great Barrier Reef.

This government has made it a priority to make investments into the reef, to restore and repair it, and I know that Senator Green has been leading that work, in consultation with and in support of Minister Plibersek, to do what has needed to be done to ensure the future of the Great Barrier Reef. It's a reef that, as anyone who has visited knows, is of incredible beauty. It's an important part of North Queensland.

Gerard Rennick (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Have you ever dived up there?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, I have been up there, Senator Rennick—fool! And it deserves all of our attention to protect it, and that's why we have been doing what we can.

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

Order on my left!

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I endorse the work of Senator Green, who is doing an incredible job and, as a local up there, of course is in touch with all of the businesses and industries and groups that rely on—

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

Minister Gallagher, please resume your seat. Senator Hume?

Jane Hume (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Madam President, I think the minister might have referred to Senator Rennick with a rather offensive comment, and I wonder whether you might ask her to withdraw?

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

Certainly.

Government senators interjecting—

Order! Order on my right. Order! Minister, if you made an unparliamentary remark to Senator Rennick, please withdraw.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm sorry—a lapse of discipline there, President, and I withdraw.

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

Thank you.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

And I, of course, would be very happy to debate Senator Rennick.

So we are aware of the pressures on the reef. We are also aware of the economic importance and environmental importance of having a healthy reef, and that is why the government remains committed to doing what we need to do to keep the reef safe, to repair the reef where we can and to protect it from coral bleaching as well.

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

Senator Whish-Wilson, a first supplementary?

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

This is potentially the seventh mass coral bleaching since 1998, which was the first mass coral bleaching ever recorded. It's the fifth in eight years. Ocean temperatures right around the world, year on year, continue to set new records. Minister, does your government accept that the burning of fossil fuels—and climate change—is causing these marine heatwaves and coral bleaching, and that it is the single biggest threat to the Great Barrier Reef?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Well, we certainly believe in climate change. We believe that the transition to renewable energy is an important and essential piece of work before the government. We work with you where we can. I think our record, in the first 18 months, is of doing what we can in the environment portfolio—and it shows what you can do when you have a government that actually does believe in climate change—to make the necessary investments. I will go through them: 43 per cent emissions reduction by 2030; 82 per cent renewable energy by 2030; doubling the rate of renewable energy approvals, with 43 ticked off, which will power 2½ million homes; a record 127 more renewable projects in the pipeline; cheaper electric cars; higher fuel efficiency standards; huge upgrades to our energy grid, to take more renewable energy; help for homes and businesses to get off gas and electricity— (Time expired)

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

Senator Whish-Wilson, a second supplementary?

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

The latest research shows that, on a two-degree warming scenario, which we're well on the way towards, we'll lose 99 per cent of the corals on the Great Barrier Reef—and it's not the only coral reef in the world that we will lose. Minister, you've said several times today, 'We're doing what we can,' and I agree we can do more, and I'm sure you agree. Will your government consider a climate trigger in new environment laws so that we can actually reduce our emissions in this country and play our part?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister for the environment is working with people across this parliament around reforms to that piece of legislation. I have no doubt that that will play out, as it will, in this chamber and the other place. But I would say that it's a much better position to be in to deal with the effects of climate change if we have agreement across the parliament. The biggest threat to the work we're doing now and to reducing the impact of a warming climate is sitting right in front of you, opposing fuel efficiency standards, opposing renewable energy projects and opposing energy bill relief—opposing all the measures we take. If 10 years of climate wars has proved one thing to anybody outside this place it is that when this parliament works together we can get some things done, and we can make steps in the right direction. (Time expired)