Senate debates

Tuesday, 10 August 2021

Adjournment

Climate Change

7:55 pm

Photo of Lidia ThorpeLidia Thorpe (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

[by video link] Every person in this country should be absolutely ashamed that the so-called Prime Minister of this country—a man absolutely committed to not doing his job—today refused to commit to a target of net zero emissions by 2050. The Sixth assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change tells us that First Nations knowledge is a vital tool in the struggle for climate justice. First Nations people have cared for and protected our lands and waters, including our totems, for tens of thousands of years. Recent breakdowns of ecological systems and harms to biodiversity have been linked to a disregard for traditional forms of land management and their displacement by imported and harmful practices. The IPCC report acknowledges the contribution of First Nations people and First Nations scientists in helping record historical as well as current observations of a changing climate.

The year before last, we watched this country burn as we experienced one of the worst bushfire seasons in our recorded history, and what did the so-called Prime Minister do? He took a holiday to Hawaii! He doesn't hold a hose, mate. He went missing when it was time to get this country vaccinated. What—and he doesn't hold a needle, mate? Today, when the IPCC recommended urgent action, he's gone missing again. Where is he? Get him out from under that desk! He just has no idea, mate.

We need to get rid of the Morrison government. We can kick the Liberals out and put the Greens in, with the balance of power. Greens with the balance of power would mean that the Greens and our advocacy for black justice and climate justice in the parliament could not be ignored. It would mean that our people-powered movement would need to be consulted on all laws before this place. Imagine that! Look at the Greens' policies and see what we stand for. We leave the rest for dead. This way we can make laws that are good for the people and for the country. With the balance of power, the Greens will push the next government to go harder and faster on climate change. If we get a Labor government—they don't even know what their target is and they're still getting donations from the fossil fuel industry—they're going to need a true party that will hold them to account, and the only way we're going to do that is with the balance of power. The last time the Greens and Labor were in shared power, we passed laws to bring down pollution. Yes, we did. Coal and gas are causing the greatest damage to people, country and communities because Labor and the Liberals are being bought off by the coal and gas corporations. Seriously, you guys, stop taking their money, because when you take their money you have to do their work.

The Greens don't take dirty donations, so, with the balance of power, we will make big corporations and billionaires finally contribute their fair share of tax so that we can all live a better life. Right now, we live in a society where a nurse pays more tax than a multibillion-dollar corporation. What the hell? My politics—green politics—is the politics of hope. We dare to plant a seed and make these big, bold, visionary plans come true. Right now, we have a chance to build a country that works for everyone, not just the chosen few. My promise to the people of Victoria is that only the Greens will fight for your future.

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