House debates

Monday, 2 December 2019

Statements by Members

Climate Change

1:54 pm

Photo of Pat ConroyPat Conroy (Shortland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | | Hansard source

Ten years ago today, on this very day, the Greens betrayed the planet they were formed to protect. They betrayed the planet they profess to love so much, because on that day they joined in an unholy alliance with the tinfoil hat brigade of the coalition to vote down the CPRS, and we've paid the price every day since. As a result, emissions in 2020 will be 81 million tonnes higher and, cumulatively, 218 million tonnes higher over the decade. The coalition and the Greens bear joint responsibility for the policy failure and environmental damage this has incurred. What is the Greens defence? 'Boohoo. Labor wouldn't talk to us on the day.' That is seriously their only defence to defend blocking the emissions trading scheme.

Photo of Adam BandtAdam Bandt (Melbourne, Australian Greens) Share this | | Hansard source

Support a carbon price now!

Photo of Pat ConroyPat Conroy (Shortland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | | Hansard source

How petulant can you be? How weak and passive can you be? That is your only defence: Labor was mean to you. Australians are already bearing the cost of this, and the cost will only rise higher—higher electricity prices, severe drought devastating rural communities, damage to iconic assets like the Great Barrier Reef, and health costs from heatwaves. The member for Melbourne and all the Greens have the blood of the planet on their hands. They betrayed the environment by teaming up with the dinosaurs in the coalition to vote down the CPRS 10 years ago to this day.