Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. I thank the minister for his answer, where he again outlined his opposition to Australia doing anything unilaterally in relation to tackling carbon emissions. Isn’t that the very concern that business is expressing? Isn’t that the very concern of Sir Nicholas Stern, that we need action now, and that the government continuing to sit on its hands, the delays in taking any real action, will only cost Australia greatly? Hasn’t the government’s response been merely to set up a committee? And hasn’t the government effectively been unable to lead on this vital question because senior ministers like Senator Minchin are still in denial about the reality of climate change? Aren’t you incapable of providing leadership on this issue because you do not accept the science?