Richard Di Natale Victoria, Australian Greens
3:56 pm
I ask that general business notice of motion No. 129 standing in my name for today, relating to climate change, be taken as a formal motion.
Sue Lines Deputy-President
Is there any objection to the motion being taken as formal?
Malcolm Roberts Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party
I'd like the motion to be split into two.
Malcolm Roberts Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party
I'd like (a) and (b) together, as one part, and (c) separately, as a second part.
Richard Di Natale Victoria, Australian Greens
I move:
That the Senate notes that:
(a) humankind first landed on the moon on 20 July 1969;
(b) the earth is round; and
(c) the burning of thermal coal is the single biggest contributor to climate change.
Cory Bernardi SA, Australian Conservatives
I seek leave to make a brief statement.
Leave not granted.
Jonathon Duniam Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries
3:57 pm
I seek leave to make a short statement.
Leave not granted.
Sue Lines Deputy-President
The question is that general business notice of motion No. 129, as moved by Senator Di Natale, parts (a) and (b), be agreed to. Senator Bernardi?
Cory Bernardi SA, Australian Conservatives
Could I just make the point that in Australia it was 21 July when man landed on the moon.
Sue Lines Deputy-President
Senator Bernardi, if you're not moving a point of order—
Cory Bernardi SA, Australian Conservatives
If you're voting for this, you're voting for falsehoods.
Sue Lines Deputy-President
The question is that parts (a) and (b) of that motion be agreed to.
Question agreed to.
The question is that part (c) of general business notice of motion No. 129 be agreed to.
Jordon Steele-John WA, Australian Greens
4:05 pm
I move:
That the Senate supports—
(a) the Global Climate Strike taking place in Australia on 20 September 2019; and
(b) the demands of the student climate strikers, namely:
(i) no new coal, oil and gas projects, including the Adani mine,
(ii) 100% renewable energy generation and exports by 2030, and
(iii) fund a just transition and job creation for all fossil-fuel workers and communities.
Jonathon Duniam Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries
I seek leave to make a short statement.
Jonathon Duniam Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries
Australia have the highest per capita investment in renewable energy in the world. The government is addressing climate change, but won't sell out jobs and industry to do so. The coal industry provides real jobs and was Australia's largest export earner last year. Resources and energy exports earned Australia $279 billion last year. The taxes, royalties and income generated by Australia's coal, oil and gas industries enable new investments in education, roads and hospitals, providing jobs and opportunities for all Australians. Fossil fuel workers shouldn't be forced to transition into new jobs. Instead, they should be recognised for the hard work they do for our nation.
Sue Lines Deputy-President
Leave is granted for one minute, Senator Patrick.
Rex Patrick SA, Centre Alliance
Centre Alliance will not be supporting this motion because we believe that gas is a transitional energy towards a state where we will have predominantly or exclusively renewable energy. Also, we recognise that electric vehicles are extremely important, but until such time as we have electric vehicles we will rely on oil and we are, indeed, a net importer of oil.
Sue Lines Deputy-President
The question is that general business notice of motion No. 130 standing in the name of Senator Steele-John be agreed to.