Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Water) Share this | Hansard source

You are quite right, Mr President. Through you I say this: I rarely agree with the Leader of the Opposition but I do agree with him on this issue—the challenge of climate change is likely to be ‘the most significant economic, political and moral challenge that will face our generation’. That is why we will implement our policies, including a renewable energy target and the emissions-trading scheme. We will do so methodically and carefully. We will undertake economic modelling, as I have already indicated in this place, to carefully assess the impact on the Australian economy. We will have a very clear eye on ensuring Australia’s future prosperity because we believe tackling climate change is about preparing for the future and ensuring that Australian families and this nation are better prepared for the challenges of the future.