House debates

Thursday, 12 August 2021

Statements by Members

Morrison Government

1:29 pm

Photo of Libby CokerLibby Coker (Corangamite, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

[by video link] I want to start with a shout-out, a shout-out on climate change and the IPCC special report. Our world's climate scientists are spot on; we are at a pivotal moment to save our planet, and this call to arms is being echoed by young people across my electorate. One young woman, Dominique O'Halloran, has seized this moment. Dominique is getting her friends to pressure us politicians to do something about the IPCC issuing a code red for humanity. On social media, she speaks about the failure of the Morrison government to take meaningful action on climate change. All I can say is: 'Go, Dominique! I love your passion. Please ask all your friends to enrol to vote. Make yourself heard at the ballot box, not just on social media.' We've got to get to net zero emissions ASAP and move rapidly towards renewable energy.

We know the Prime Minister is sceptical of climate science. He's also been sceptical of COVID science. How long did it take the Prime Minister to get serious about COVID? He said it wasn't a race. The vaccine rollout across Australia and in my region is plagued by problems. My survey of GPs, health centres and pharmacies highlights this—too little access to Pfizer, clinics thrown in the deep end, mixed messaging about vaccines. The Morrison government has failed Australia on climate change and they've failed Australia on COVID.