Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I'll take that interjection from the National Party: 'It's all symbolic.' It is all symbolic, is it? Well, it just really demonstrates how out of touch those opposite are and how little those in the coalition actually understand that the Australian people voted for climate change action and might want to be listened to.

With the passage of the legislation in this place, can I first acknowledge those who worked with the government constructively on sensible amendments, and can I also acknowledge the support from the business community. The Business Council of Australia said:

This legislation brings Australia a step closer to ending the so-called climate wars, which have been counterproductive and served as a handbrake on progress towards decarbonisation and have slowed our economy.

The National Farmers Federation said in evidence to the Senate inquiry that the bills are 'framework legislation that can provide business certainty'. I know it's hard for the National Party to realise that their base is not with them on this. I know that's hard, but they are not. The Investor Group on Climate Change talked about the opportunity to 'unlock hundreds of billions of dollars' worth of investment in climate solutions'. It is those opposite who are out of touch.