House debates

Monday, 2 March 2020

Statements by Members

Climate Change

4:15 pm

Photo of Patrick GormanPatrick Gorman (Perth, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

Climate change is real. The opportunities of acting on climate change are real—secure jobs, cheaper energy and a cleaner world. I spoke to a range of people on Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday who said, 'It's great that we're doing our bit to keep our environment clean, but why can't you do your bit in the parliament?' The reality is that Labor is the only party who can deliver a net zero emissions target by 2050. It's the same target as that of the Business Council, Woodside Energy—who are based in my electorate—Telstra and Qantas. It would help organisations like the RACWA deliver on their goal for a more friendly environment for zero-emissions vehicles. CSIRO tells us it would result in higher wages and an effective 64 per cent reduction in electricity spend.

There is so much we can do to act on climate change. I've had Girl Guides, bakers and start-up incubators all come to talk to me, on top of hundreds of emails saying, 'We want to see more action.' So I'm inviting my entire electorate to the Perth Future Forum to discuss climate change. It is on 18 March at the Bayswater community hub.

A government member: Can I come?

You are more than welcome. Anyone on the coalition side is more than welcome to join us, as is every person who lives in the electorate of Perth, to talk about how we build the consensus to act on climate change and actually get something done.