Helen Coonan (NSW, Liberal Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

We have been at this now since about 9.30 am and we do not seem to have moved on much from very general examination of these very important bills. I have a couple of very specific questions. I could make a 20-minute speech, but I will not. I think it is important that we try to get answers as specific as possible from the minister and his officials. What I want to know, seeing that we have touched again on the insulation issue, is this: will the insulation measure result in a reduction in Australia’s CO2 emissions beyond the unilateral five per cent reduction below 2000 levels by 2020? My second question relating to the insulation measure is: does the energy efficiency measure provide an effective subsidy to high emitters by reducing their permit price? Could the minister give me a specific response, please.