Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I presumed the opposition would be interested in the actions of their fellow conservatives overseas, including of course the Prime Minister of New Zealand—a conservative in a country with an emissions trading scheme. Then let's come to the US, mentioned in the deputy opposition leader's question. President Obama has committed the US to a hugely ambitious agenda about ensuring that 80 per cent of the energy used in the US comes from clean energy sources—a huge agenda for change. Right around the world, whether it is China or India, we see countries acting on climate change.

I do not put the case to the Australian people that we should act in front of the world, but we cannot afford to be left behind either. We have a high-emitting economy. We emit more carbon pollution per head of population—

Mr Hartsuyker interjecting—

See this speech in context