Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Hansard source

I did notice actually—I saw it reported somewhere—that the shadow treasurer admitted yesterday that there were costs associated with the energy transition and that there would be costs under the coalition's approach, although we don't fully understand what that might be. This government believes in climate change. We believe that it is real, that it is having an impact in the Pacific and that we should be part of the global discussions about how to manage and reduce the effects that climate change is having. We accept that you, over there, don't believe in it and don't think you should do anything about it. Do you know why we know that is a real feeling? We saw it on display in the 10 years you had to actually respond to some of the energy challenges in this country. When all those coal-fired power stations said they were going to close, what did you do? You turned your back and walked the other way; you did nothing. This government responds, and we deal with things in the national interest.