Emma Comer (Petrie, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is for the Prime Minister. How is the Albanese Labor government tackling the environmental challenge of climate change while seizing the economic opportunities of renewable energy, and are there any risks?

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Petrie for her question. Indeed, Australians were very clear, when they voted for the member for Petrie on 3 May, that they wanted action on climate change that not only protects our environment—and I must say that the member's electorate is particularly pristine there, around Redcliffe and that beautiful part of Queensland—but also strengthens our economy. Our government is taking precisely that action with our target to reduce emissions by 62-70 per cent by 2035. It's a responsible—

Ted O'Brien (Fairfax, Liberal Party, Shadow Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You can't tell us how much it's going to cost.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

To the member for Fairfax, I'm not in the mood today for those sorts of interjections. I'm just not, and I don't think the House is either. Hold your horses so I can hear the Prime Minister.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is a responsible target. Importantly, it was done under what is the world's best practice. We had the Climate Change Authority, chaired by Mr Kean, who put forward the evidence based approach so that it is ambitious but also, importantly, achievable. I must say it was well received.

We also have a practical plan to get us there. Government, industry and Australians are all doing their bits, protecting the environment for our children and also creating good jobs on the way through. Now, as a government, we are investing in the National Reconstruction Fund for new industries, boosting low-emissions manufacturing and industry. We're also getting more renewables in the grid through the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, and we're investing in clean fuels for the transport sector.

But Australians and Australian businesses are getting behind action, too, which is why this announcement was so well received by the business community—something that upsets those opposite, who used to talk to the business community. They don't these days.

Since 1 July, as the minister has proudly informed the House just minutes ago, we are now up to more than 80,000 home batteries being installed. What that's doing is storing the energy that comes from our roofs, which have the highest per capita rate of solar panels in the world, and making sure that people get the permanent reduction. Ninety-four per cent of ASX 50 companies are committed to net zero, because they recognise it's good for their business as well as for the environment.

Everyone is doing their bit except for those opposite, who are busy interjecting. They're the only people who aren't on board with this. They're stuck in the past and they're too busy getting stuck into each other to worry about Australia's national interest.