House debates Questions without Notice

Climate Change

Monday, 30 November 2015 House of Representatives

Tanya Plibersek

Tanya Plibersek Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition

2:01 pm

My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. The Australian reports today that the Prime Minister will put innovation at the centre of his climate change agenda in Paris. In the context of negotiations in Paris, is it still government policy to abolish the Australian Renewable Energy Agency and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation—the very agencies that drive innovation in clean technology?

Ms Macklin interjecting—

Tony Smith

Tony Smith Speaker

The member for Jagajaga will cease interjecting.

Ms Julie Bishop

Ms Julie Bishop Curtin, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs

I thank the member for her question. I understand that the clean energy finance bill is before the Senate. It has been rejected by the Senate. That is one issue, secondly—

Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this

Honourable Members:

Honourable members interjecting—

Tony Smith

Tony Smith Speaker

Already the level of interjections is too high. I refer members to my statement of last Thursday. I will deal with a wall of noise. A number of people were already warned last week. They carry those warnings over. The member for Jagajaga is warned.

Ms Julie Bishop

Ms Julie Bishop Curtin, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs

I am informed that it remains our policy. It has been rejected twice by the Senate, but it is still our policy.