House debates Questions without Notice
Climate Change
Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
2:25 pm
My question is to the Prime Minister. It follows my last question, about why it is that modelling for his net zero policy has not been released. Is he aware that a senior official has just told Senate estimates, 'We are finalising the writing up of that work'? How is it that this Prime Minister released his so-called plan—where, between him and the minister, he said 'plan' 94 times—but doesn't actually have one and doesn't have modelling that he can table? (Time expired)
Scott Morrison Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
The modelling will be released in the next couple of weeks. It will be there for everybody to see. The plan has been released; I've tabled it in the parliament—
Opposition members interjecting—
Scott Morrison Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
It will form part of our nationally determined contribution at COP26.
Tony Smith Speaker
The member for McEwen will leave under standing order 94(a).
The member for McEwen then left the chamber.
Tony Smith Speaker
The member for Kingsford Smith will follow him!
The member for Kingsford Smith then left the chamber.
Scott Morrison Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
It sets out that our 2030 commitment—our government has a 2030 commitment; the opposition still doesn't have a 2030 target at all. They don't have one! They can't speak to one, because it isn't there. We have one; we took it to the last election. It was supported by the Australian people. The Labor Party had one: it was 45 per cent and it was rejected by the Australian people and those opposite have been sitting there twiddling their thumbs about what it should be ever since. They don't know whether it should be high—
Tony Smith Speaker
No, I just say to the Prime Minister that there wasn't an opportunity in this question to speak about the opposition policies.
Scott Morrison Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
Thank you, Mr Speaker. The net zero by 2050 position that the government has arrived at has been arrived at based on the modelling that has been done by the government through the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources—a highly competent department, led by Secretary Fredericks, who I know is well regarded around the Public Service. And that document will be released in the next few weeks; it will be there and they'll be able to see it. They'll be able to see what it does, through the plan that we're putting in place, with technology not taxes and respecting people's choices—
Scott Morrison Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
not seeking to legislate what people should do in their lives, in their businesses, on their farms or in their minds. That's what the Labor Party wants to do. Not us!—
Scott Morrison Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
We want to let the Australian economy achieve this target, and we know it can. We know that Australians can achieve this, because emissions have already fallen by more than 20 per cent.
Tony Smith Speaker
The Prime Minister will resume his seat. The Manager of Opposition Business on a point of order?
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Arts
Yes, Mr Speaker, on direct relevance. The question goes to the Prime Minister being asked about modelling and never once letting us know the document doesn't even exist!
Tony Smith Speaker
No, the Manager of Opposition Business won't use the opportunity to try to give a statement or ask a different question. Has the Prime Minister concluded?
Tony Smith Speaker
Just before you recommence: there isn't an opportunity to talk about opposition policies in your answer. The Prime Minister.
Scott Morrison Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
That's because they don't have any, Mr Speaker! They don't have any targets and they don't have any plans for 2050—
Scott Morrison Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
So I can't help there, Mr Speaker!
Scott Morrison Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
I'm happy to conclude on that note.