Rick Wilson (O'Connor, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to commend the Prime Minister and the Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction on yesterday's announcement of our long-term emissions reduction plan, which sets out how Australia will achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. This plan has been agreed on after extensive consultations and robust debate, as is proper, and I'm confident this plan will not create any adverse economic imposts on rural and regional communities like mine in O'Connor. It will use technology, not taxes, with no new costs imposed on O'Connor households and businesses. It will use consumer choice, not legislated mandates, by doing things like incentivising the uptake of ultralow-cost solar, blue and green hydrogen and other energy-efficient technologies, without enterprise-stifling restrictions on O'Connor's mining, manufacturing and agricultural exports. Farmers will benefit as techniques are developed and improved to accurately measure soil carbon to a depth of one metre, opening up a massive market for offsets across millions of arable hectares.

The hardworking miners and farmers across O'Connor produce around $20 billion of exports for our nation, and the future viability of these industries is my primary concern, which is why I welcome the PM's announcement that the Productivity Commission will be conducting five-yearly audits into the economic health of our regions. Finally, the 3,000 workers at the Collie coalmines and power stations and at Worsley alumina refinery can look forward to the future with confidence. Under this government's plan, there will be no forced closures of mines, power stations and energy-intensive processing industries. (Time expired)