Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. It's time for Australia to set our 2035 climate pollution reduction targets. These aren't just numbers on a page; they're life and death—the continued existence of our Pacific neighbours, the dead marine animals washing up on Adelaide's beaches, the bushfire survivors who need to know that their rebuilt home is safe. State and territory targets combined already get us to between 66 per cent and 71 per cent reduction, as Climateworks has calculated. That means that any federal target lower than 71 per cent would be taking us backwards. Is your 2035 climate pollution target going to take us backwards, or are you going to add to the efforts of states and territories?

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

We are a government that has been elected and then re-elected with a commitment to take action on climate change—and we are, we have and we will. We are taking action at home domestically. We're seeking to transform one of the most emissions-intensive economies in the world to an economy that will thrive and prosper in a net zero global economy. That's the task that we are engaging in. That is not just with Minister Bowen but also the work of the Treasurer, the finance minister, Minister Ayres and many others. They are geared to ensuring not only that we act because of the imperative now; there's an economic imperative, which is that we want to be able to ensure that we can sell goods and services into a global economy which is a net zero economy. We're serious about that.

We also recognise the nature of the transition. Like the Greens political party—and you and I have had this conversation previously—we know that you don't just flick a switch, and we know that we have ambitious targets. We know there have to be more ambitious targets for 2035. Clearly, if you're going to get to 2050, you need to continue that trajectory. We'll take the advice of the authority and an appropriate, responsible target will be set by the government, as Minister Bowen and the Prime Minister have outlined.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Waters, first supplementary?

Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Pacific leaders are in the building today advocating for a strong, science based climate target. Last week, the International Court of Justice ruled that Australia may be legally liable for the climate impacts of our massive coal and gas exports. Minister, what do you say to those Pacific neighbours who are begging you not to open new coal and gas mines?

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

I'd made the point that I actually spent a bit of time with Prime Minister Feleti Teo and Foreign minister Paulson Panapa yesterday and today. That was the visit of the Tuvaluan leadership here to celebrate the opening of the mobility pathway. I have spent a lot of time in the Pacific with Pacific leaders and Pacific representatives and citizens, as have the Prime Minister and Minister Conroy. So we understand very clearly the experience of the Pacific. I often wish that Senator Cash and Senator Canavan would actually engage with representatives of the Pacific, because for them it's not a cultural issue; it's an issue of their everyday life. They see what is happening on the front line. For them it is not something that they dispute; they watch it happening, and they want assistance with it. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Waters, second supplementary?

Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Along with targets for emissions reduction, Australia's nationally determined contribution can also contain other commitments. Will you heed the call of Pacific leaders that you're evidently meeting with and incorporate a commitment on fossil fuels, whether that be on subsidies, exports or no new coal and gas?

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

We meet regularly with Pacific leaders and talk with them about these issues. I think your colleague behind you was holding her hands in the air and asking why I was talking about Tuvalu. Just so you're aware, it's the first agreement anywhere in the world which allows for mobility with dignity as a consequence of climate change. It's also the first agreement anywhere in the world which retains sovereignty in the face of sea level rise. So we are serious about Pacific priorities and we are serious about acting on climate. It's not a political issue. I know you want to make it a political issue. But it is an issue about transitioning an economy in a way that ensures that Australian children today have prosperous jobs tomorrow because they can trade into and with a global net zero economy. That's the responsibility we take, and we will do our part. (Time expired)