Chris Bowen (McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Energy) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the honourable member for his question. He asked me about the transition away from fossil fuels, which, as I said, the leaders of the Pacific—Australia, New Zealand and Pacific nations—agreed to on 10 November 2023. It was then reflected in the COP decision language later that year in Dubai, and that is something that was reflected in that COP decision. Yes, Australia did join with other countries in the declaration on the transition away from fossil fuels. I can understand why this is offensive to those opposite because it says:

We reaffirm that the best available science must guide the implementation of the transition.

That's what Australia agreed with those countries. I know the word 'science' triggers those opposite because they find that offensive. Other countries that called for a roadmap for a transition away from fossil fuels at the COP last week in Belem include Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom and the Republic of Korea, which I note also announced the closing of all their coal-fired power stations by 2040. Those terrible woke warriors in the Republic of Korea are closing all their coal-fired power stations earlier than Australia. Around 80 countries called for a roadmap to transition away from fossil fuel.

I know that those opposite aren't real good on international engagement. I know they couldn't get a Chinese minister to return their calls for two years. I know that they saw the Pacific as something that they just didn't care about and that they lost control of the geopolitical environment in the Pacific, something this government has turned around. We are acting in good company internationally and will continue to do so because we will—

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