Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

I am slightly flabbergasted by that question that seems to insinuate that the Greens, who I thought argued very strongly and passionately for commitments to net zero by 2050, now seem to be deviating from that position. They now seem to be saying they have an alternate position. Indeed, the Prime Minister has said he wants to see net zero achieved as soon as is possible. In that sense, Senator Waters, if you're saying, 'Would before 2050 be preferable?' indeed—if it's possible to be achieved in a world in which we get that delivered through the type of technology-not-taxes approach that our government is outlining, through the type of cooperation around the world that we are seeking to strive and achieve in relation to investment in those technologies that are necessary to reduce emissions.

In terms of the short term, Australia can hold its head high as being a nation that hasn't just made commitments, in relation to emissions reductions, but has met those commitments and exceeded those commitments. Often we have done so, in terms of meeting and exceeding those commitments, in a way far clearer, far stronger, than some of those countries that the Greens or others cite. Australia is a country that beat its Kyoto-era targets by 459 million tonnes. Our emissions are down by over 20 per cent in the period from 2005 to the end of last year, compared with 6.6 per cent across the OECD average. That's a track record that shows Australia has been making changes, and we've been able to do it and achieve it as a country whilst still growing our economy, through the growth in investment in technologies. That's precisely what our government is committed to continuing to pursue.