Under the Albanese Labor Government, the Australian Public Service (excluding security agencies) will commit to a target of net zero emissions by 2030.

Business, states and territories and households have all led the way when it comes to prioritising cleaner and cheaper energy and reducing emissions.

It’s past time the Commonwealth Government did too.

Good governments lead by example, and the public service should always be looking for ways to ensure bang for buck for the taxpayer in their running costs.

Under the previous government, there was a lack of transparency about the Commonwealth Government’s own emissions, but the last available data (2011-2012) indicates non Defence agencies emitted 1.2 million tonnes, a year.

If the Australian Public Service were a company – this 1.2 million tonnes would put it in the top 50 emitters.

The Howard and Rudd-Gillard governments had a bipartisan practice of annual public reporting of Commonwealth emissions.

Labor would restore this practice.

The public service target would be achieved through a mixture of demand reduction, renewable supply, and offset purchases.

This would include a low-emissions vehicle target for the Commonwealth fleet of 75% of new purchases and leases by 2025, which will drive down running costs, and will give a much-needed boost to the non-existent second-hand electric vehicle market in Australia.

The Commonwealth fleet target is in line with the state government policies of New South Wales, Tasmania and South Australia to electrify government passenger vehicle fleets by 2030.

Additionally, Labor’s Buy Australian Plan would apply to future Power Purchasing Agreements entered into by Commonwealth agencies.

Government procurement is a critical tool to drive local jobs and manufacturing instead of boosting Australian industry. An Albanese Labor Government will ensure the public service leads by example, prioritises local content, and secures cheaper, renewable energy for its operations under the Powering Australia Plan.

Security agencies (ADF, ABF, AFP and the Australian Intelligence Community) will be exempt from the Public Service emissions target due to their unique operational needs.