At the 2019 election the government took a clear plan to the Australian people to responsibly reduce Australia’s carbon emissions consistent with our international commitments. We remain committed to this plan.
We beat our first Kyoto target by 128 million tonnes and we’re projected to beat our 2020 target by 411 million tonnes. Under our 2030 Paris target, we’re reducing emissions by 26 to 28 per cent on 2005 levels by 2030. Over this period we will have halved the amount of emissions per Australian.
On a per capita basis, our emission reductions will be greater than many comparable countries, including the European Union, Canada, Japan and Korea.
We have set ourselves an ambitious, but responsible, emissions reduction target for 2030. We will meet it and we intend to beat it, and the latest emissions projections already show we are on track to do so.
But Australia cannot cut global emissions in isolation. The development and deployment of new technologies will be essential to reducing emissions, both here and around the world, while creating jobs.
Our focus is on improving existing and adopting new technologies, not taxes. We do not support the introduction of a carbon tax, we do not support driving up electricity prices and we do not support plans that will abandon the jobs many regional Australians rely on and make emissions reduction unsustainable.
That’s why, working closely with industry, researchers and international partners, we are developing a Technology Investment Roadmap to focus our investment on driving down the costs of low-emissions technology. It will also guide us as we seek to deploy new technology as rapidly as possible to reduce emissions, both at home and overseas.
The Roadmap will position Australia to contribute to, and take advantage of, global decarbonisation efforts. It will set a framework for our investment in emission reducing technologies over the short (to 2022), medium (to 2030) and long-term (to 2050).
This builds on what we’re already doing to drive down emissions, including:
- The $10 billion Clean Energy Finance Corporation, which brings down the cost of renewable energy;
- Our $1 billion Grid Reliability Fund to promote investment in battery and pumped hydro renewable energy storage;
- Our $500 million hydrogen strategy to position us as a key player in the emerging green hydrogen economy and;
- Our soon-to-be-released electric vehicle strategy to accelerate the modernisation of our transport fleet.
Although seemingly representing climate action, the Bill proposed by the Member for Warringah aims to:
- Set a net zero emissions target by 2050 – but it doesn’t explain what the costs of achieving that target will be;
- Establish a new Climate Change Commission to independently advise the government on strategies to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 – but the independent Climate Change Authority already informs government climate policy; and
- Sets up a system of five-year targets – but under the Paris Agreement, the Government has already agreed to a system of five-year targets.
The Bill would only result in more bureaucracy, duplicate our existing processes and sign the country up to major commitments without appropriately considering the costs and impacts.
Our national emissions reduction target is achievable, responsible and sustainable. We are playing our part in coordinated global action to deliver a healthy environment for future generations while keeping our economy strong.
More details on how the government is tackling climate change can be found on the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources website: https://www.energy.gov.au/A-fair-deal-on-energy/a-fair-deal-3
As a local MP, I am also committed to protecting and sustainably managing our beautiful environment with practical measures to care for our bush, lakes, rivers and ocean.
I have been able secure investment for local Landcare projects to control pest plants and animals; support threatened species and improve water quality in our catchments.
The recent bushfires have further emphasised the need to support local wildlife carers with a direct funding program and undertake practical bushfire prevention and mitigation measures including cool burns, strategic clearing and indigenous land management techniques.
I believe a mix of local, regional, national and international measures is required to effectively care for our planet.