Tania Lawrence (Hasluck, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Where is the sensible centre that the opposition leader claims to occupy? Just a short time ago, the coalition told us that they accepted the science, the economics and the opportunity of a net zero future. The leader of the coalition said that it was her strong belief that rural and regional Australia has lots to benefit from in the move to net zero. 'This opportunity is huge,' she said. 'I think that net zero by 2050 aim is perfect.' Now, it's being used as a bargaining chip to save the opposition leader's political skin.

I've heard from young people, local vineyards, small business owners, big business. They are planning for a net zero future. They are investing in solar and batteries on their homes. They are moving their vehicle fleets over to electric. They are putting money into R&D to drive innovation in the way we make things and the way in which we deliver our services for a green energy future.

In Western Australia, in the member for O'Connor's electorate, one of our newest goldmines, the Bellevue project, is aiming to run on up to 90 per cent renewables. Already they have had times where they're operating on 100 per cent renewables. Their motivation is not just to save on the substantial cost of diesel. Bellevue say some gold buyers are now seeking to buy sustainably mined gold.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in Western Australia, where road transport distances are no joke, companies like EPCA, Janus, Kempower and Chargefox are working to convert our trucking fleets to electric. And just this week, Nick Carter, CEO of Akaysha Energy, was named in TIMEmagazine's 100 most influential climate leaders. Akaysha is building the Waratah Super Battery, the world 's most powerful battery, on the former Munmorah coal-fired power station site in New South Wales. This will be acting as a shock absorber for the power network across New South Wales.

CEO Carter says:

This issue is too big and critical not to have a bipartisan stance …

…   …   …

Everyone needs to get aligned … Stop fighting and get aligned for the common good.

That's the message from industry to the opposition. Let's get on with it.

Our nation, our climate, our future will not wait for members opposite to find a political backbone. The people of Hasluck and the people across Australia demand consistency, clarity and commitment, not this flip-flopping that leaves our economy, our communities and our environment in limbo. So, while the coalition is in a perpetual state of confusion and indecision, on this side of the House we remain clear—net zero by 2050, backed by real action—because our communities are relying on us to deliver a stable and prosperous future.

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