Transcript:
Ms PAYNE (Canberra) (15:35): I'm really pleased to have the opportunity today to speak in this matter of public importance and highlight the Albanese Labor government's achievements in protecting our environment and combating climate change, because these are critically important issues. I've been so proud of the action we have taken on these things since coming to government. Our achievements demonstrate our commitment to leaving Australia and the world in a better state for future generations than when we came into government.
It's a great honour to follow, today, the Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, who has just been with the Minister for Climate Change and Energy at COP, representing Australia there. I want to commend our leadership team for the vision that they have delivered and the transformative reforms that we've seen in this parliament and the even more ambitious policies on the horizon.
Under this Labor government, Australia is undergoing an energy revolution. This year alone, 42 per cent of our power will come from renewable energy, and, by 2030, 82 per cent of our energy grid will be made of renewables. We had great news today: because of our actions, our legislated target of a 43 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030 is on track to be met. And these are not just numbers. They represent a cleaner, greener Australia than what we inherited two years ago when we came to government.
For the Greens and others, it's politically convenient to make out that we are not having these achievements as a government and to downplay what we have achieved. But we came to government after 10 years of complete inaction from the coalition. As the member for Brisbane said, we're not even sure if they actually believe in climate change or not. It suits them to make out that we're not doing enough, when we are delivering incredibly ambitious action on climate change and we are actually getting it done. It actually requires governments to do that. It's not about giving speeches. It's not about just what you say. You have to actually have a plan to deliver these things and you have to work it get it done. And that's what we have been doing since coming to government in 2022, and I am very proud of what we have so far achieved.
As the member for Canberra—a community that is deeply engaged on this issue and understands the importance of urgent and ambitious action on climate—I will always advocate for us to take the strongest action that we can, and I have done so. Last term we were in opposition, and it was just mind-blowing to be in here making a case for climate action, when the previous government seemed to be doing nothing in the face of this crisis. It's been a big change from that to being in government, being able to talk about the things that we are doing, and seeing Minister Bowen fighting for these things and actually going beyond the things that we first promised, delivering ambitious actions, in many ways, that are helping to set up Australia and the world for a better future.
Under this government, 65 renewable energy projects have been green-lit in just over two years. That is enough power to run seven million homes. And we have another 130 projects in the pipeline.
This government is not just talking about climate action. We are taking decisive steps to protect our environment. For the first time in Australia's history, under the Minister for the Environment and Water, this government has refused a coalmine project, prioritising the preservation of our environment over short-term profits. The government is acting to protect our environment and against climate change in every way.
This energy transformation isn't happening overnight, but it is happening a lot quicker because of the actions of our government. We're making up for a lost decade of inaction under the coalition and we've accomplished far more in our first term than the previous government did in three. We've legislated strong new climate laws that compel big polluters to reduce emissions by 200 million tonnes by 2030. That's the equivalent of removing two-thirds of the cars from Australian roads.
These are things that the Greens won't talk about. It's not convenient for them to acknowledge that we are really making gains in this space. We are actually delivering things because that is what Labor governments do. We are the party of the environment. We are the party that will always protect our natural environment and is taking the action we need on climate change.
