Senate debates

Thursday, 18 March 2021

Motions

Trade with the European Union

4:47 pm

Photo of Jordon Steele-JohnJordon Steele-John (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) Australia exported $20.5 billion of goods and $12.9 billion in services to the European Union in 2018-19,

(ii) last week the European Parliament voted in support of the introduction of a carbon border tax, and the European Commission will be presenting the details of their Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism in June,

(iii) Australia's carbon price was set to link to the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme in 2015 and, if that had remained in place, Australian exporters would not be subject to carbon tariffs, and

(iv) the repeal of the carbon price by the Liberal National Government has unnecessarily exposed Australian exporters to carbon tariffs, which will particularly impact the competitiveness of Australian goods; and

(b) calls on the Federal Government to support Australian exporters and give them a competitive advantage by introducing science-based 2030 emissions reduction targets and reintroducing a price on carbon.

Photo of Jonathon DuniamJonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Photo of Scott RyanScott Ryan (President) Share this | | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Photo of Jonathon DuniamJonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | | Hansard source

Australia is strongly committed to an effective global response to climate change, but the only way to deliver serious reductions in global emissions is through collaborating on low-emissions technologies to achieve technical and commercial parity. Protectionism and taxes are not the answer. We are on track to meet and beat our 2030 target, and our emissions have fallen faster than many developed country peers.

The Prime Minister has also said very clearly—

Senator Whish-Wilson interjecting

I shouldn't even listen to you. Seriously, you bring nothing to this place! You really don't know—

Senator Whish-Wilson interjecting

Photo of Scott RyanScott Ryan (President) Share this | | Hansard source

Senator Whish-Wilson!

Photo of Jonathon DuniamJonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | | Hansard source

You haven't, and you never will.

Photo of Jonathon DuniamJonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | | Hansard source

The Prime Minister has also said very clearly that our goal is to reach zero net emissions as soon as possible, and preferably by 2050.

Photo of Scott RyanScott Ryan (President) Share this | | Hansard source

The question is that motion No. 1079 be agreed to.