Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Di Natale for that question. Firstly, it is a matter of fact that coal is, and will continue to be, an important energy source for Australia and, indeed, for many countries around the world. What our government supports is effective action on climate change in a way that doesn't gratuitously harm Australian families. What I would say to Senator Di Natale is that Australia has a proud track record when it comes to making our contribution to addressing climate change in a sensible fashion. Indeed, we not only met but actually exceeded our commitment under the first Kyoto target by 128 million tonnes. We are on track to beat our 2020 Kyoto target by 294 million tonnes. Australia's abatement task to reach our Kyoto 2 target has fallen from the 755 million tonnes estimated by Labor in 2012 to beating it by 294 million tonnes under our government. And we can absolutely meet our Paris 2030 target, with no impact on electricity prices, supported by our policies and technology change. Our policies include the Emissions Reduction Fund and safeguard mechanism.