I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) 61 local councils, representing almost 6 million Australians, have declared a climate emergency, and

(ii) these local councils represent a wide range of regional, suburban and major city areas in every state and territory in Australia, including Canterbury-Bankstown City Council in New South Wales, Ballarat City Council in Victoria, Launceston City Council in Tasmania, Port Lincoln City Council in South Australia and Denmark Shire Council in Western Australia; and

(b) congratulates these local councils for declaring a climate emergency.

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Leave is granted for one minute.

The government is taking real and meaningful action to reduce Australia's impact on the environment and the government is on track to meet and beat our 2020 target, and we have a strong plan to achieve the 2030 target. We recognise that many local councils feel strongly about climate change and we encourage them to consider practical and meaningful ways to reduce their impact on the environment within their local communities.

Question agreed to.