Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) considers coal-fired power stations in Australia will need to close in order to deal with climate change; and

(b) notes that the Government must have a plan for a managed transition of the workforce and to a clean energy future.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The coalition government does not support the forced closure of coal-fired power stations. The coalition government supports affordable and reliable base-load power generation to ensure downward pressure on prices and to protect manufacturing jobs. Coal will remain a major source for the long-term future.

Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We know that if we're going to meet science based targets, not politically based targets, one coal-fired power station has to close each year. We have a choice. We can either look after workers and manage that transition or we can leave them in the lurch. We know that the economics dictate that, no matter what this government tries to do, coal-fired power stations are going to close because they're old, they're inefficient and they cannot meet the dynamic demands of tomorrow's energy system. Coal-fired power stations are going to close because solar, storage, wind and demand response are cheaper than building and maintaining coal-fired power stations. The only reason the coalition doesn't support this motion is that it is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of the coal lobby. Malcolm Turnbull is selling out to the coal lobby and, indeed, selling out to the far right of his party. We choose the path of a just transition that looks after workers and looks after the environment.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that the motion moved by Senator Di Natale be agreed to.