Julie-Ann Campbell (Moreton, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I want to thank the member for Warringah for bringing this incredibly important motion to the House today. Acting on climate change is crucial, and the reasons are obvious to us all: 2024 was the hottest year on record, our communities are enduring more extreme weather events more frequently and ecosystems are under strain.

In my home city of Brisbane, this year alone we've experienced a cyclone, an earthquake and flooding. In my local community on Brisbane's southside, we know the drill when it comes to natural disasters. Our local community is strong. Our local community helps each other out. Our local community is resilient. We also have a number of incredibly active community groups who are driving that preparedness and resilience. We have Benarrawa, the Sherwood Neighbourhood Centre, Community Plus+ in Yeronga and Communify in Acacia Ridge. What is clear, however, is that more action must be taken in order to make sure that that resilience is kept up and that our communities continue to get the support they need.

Since 2022, Labor has made major investments to help our communities adapt to the realities of climate change. We've committed $3.6 billion to targeted resilience efforts and around $9 billion to broader policies and programs that support long-term adaptation. This includes the $1 billion Disaster Ready Fund, Labor's initiative to strengthen disaster preparedness, and the rollout of Australia's first National Health and Climate Strategy and health National Adaptation Plan.

We've invested nearly $16 million in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area Climate Resilient Centre to coordinate local responses to climate impacts, and we are working with the insurance industry through the Hazards Insurance Partnership to better manage risk and improve our data sharing. By the end of 2026, we will identify priority actions with the states, territories and local governments to develop a climate change focused action agenda. The world is changing, and this is partly because of the transformation of industries and complex economies to net zero.

As part of Australia's journey to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, we've committed to reduce emissions by 62 to 70 per cent by 2035. This responsible approach is backed by science. It's not just a responsible approach; it's also an ambitious approach, with proven technology and a road map to get there. This transition also offers economic opportunities that benefit our nation. Our environment initiatives like the Cheaper Home Batteries Program have inspired Australians to install over 100,000 home batteries since 1 July this year. Since May 2022, we've also added over 18 gigawatts of wind and solar energy to the grid. We've approved more than 100 renewable energy projects—enough for power in every home across the nation—and we are working towards 82 per cent renewable energy by 2030.

We're also committed to supporting large industry to decarbonise. The National Reconstruction Fund is driving industry to scale up more renewables and low-emissions manufacturing. Such initiatives are forward-thinking and are having a positive effect right now as well as helping manage the effects of climate change into the future. While those who sit in the opposition are still arguing whether climate change is real or not, Labor is taking decisive action. In addition to the measures I've already outlined, we have invested up to $2 billion for the Clean Energy Finance Corporation to support the rapid development of renewable projects.

When it comes to climate and energy, what is clear is that people­—whether they be households or businesses—deserve clarity. What we have seen in the climate space is decades under a coalition government where we have had a policy shambles, and that continues this week. That's continued over the past few months. What have we seen from the Nationals? What have we seen from the Liberals? What have we seen from the coalition? They've walked away. They've voted against net zero. The member for New England has abandoned the party room. The Nationals have scrapped net zero, and the opposition leader is now at a crossroads. Only Labor can take the action on climate change that our community needs.

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