George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr President. As you know, Senator O'Neill, Dr Finkel has recommended a clean energy target. Dr Finkel's report is being considered by the government through our normal party room and cabinet processes at the moment.

I can tell you what we will not be doing: we will not be working with you to introduce a scheme favoured by the Labor Party but rejected by this government for an EIS, because we know that that would put further upward pressure on electricity prices. We will not be doing that, but we will invite you, Senator O'Neill, and those who sit with you, when the government's response to the Finkel report is published and announced, to work with the government to put this period of policy confusion—much of it your creation—behind us. (Time expired)