What an historic day. The ‘Climate Change Bill’ has passed the House of Representatives. While we await the progress of the Bill which now moves to Committee and then the Senate, this is a small win that we must celebrate after a grim decade of climate inaction in Australia. Today is a win for the communities who elected a record number of Independents in the hopes of climate action. I along with each of the metro Independents or ‘teals’ moved an amendment to strengthen the bill, and all of us had our amendments to the Climate Change Bill agreed to.

STATEMENT

Historic 'Climate Change Bill' passes the House with amendments from metro Independents
4 Aug 2022

What an historic day. The ‘Climate Change Bill’ has passed the House of Representatives. While we await the progress of the Bill which now moves to Committee and then the Senate, this is a small win that we must celebrate after a grim decade of climate inaction in Australia. Today is a win for the communities who elected a record number of Independents in the hopes of climate action. I along with each of the metro Independents or ‘teals’ moved an amendment to strengthen the bill, and all of us had our amendments to the Climate Change Bill agreed to.

I successfully moved an amendment to ensure our future emissions reduction targets comply with scientific advice and future Paris Agreements. This amendment requires the regular updating of emissions reduction targets which are now set for 2035, 2040, 2045 and 2050. This is an amendment to ensure a floor, not a ceiling, on our emissions reduction ambition. When it came to a vote, Ayes 89 and Noes 56. We now cannot go backwards.

After this amendment to the Climate Change Bill, I asked the Minister for Climate Change and Energy a question regarding the Consequential Amendments Bill. In this, I proposed a small yet significant change in wording.

Where the Government bill originally indicated that “may” take into account the implications of the climate change bill when it comes to funding future projects under the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility. That wording should be “must”, which would put into legislation the requirement that the Government consider the emissions implication of any projects financed under the NAIF, in effect providing a deterrent for fossil fuel exploration in favour of low emissions projects. Minister Bowen said he was happy to accept this “sound” amendment.

I look forward to further discussion around how Australia can lower emissions, restore our ecology and protect communities from the worst impacts of climate change. Australia always manages to overachieve on the world stage – why should this be any different when it comes to climate action?

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