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 looks increasingly unlikely that Australia's bid to host COP31 with Pacific nations will be successful. No arrangement with Turkiye has been reached, and the Turkish leader isn't even responding to our Prime Minister's letters. The Prime Minister and the Minister for Climate Change and Energy are not going to COP30, and the South Australian Premier is not going to COP30. Is the government even trying to pretend that it wants to host this important international climate opportunity, or have your mining mates told you to let it go, just like they told you this morning, through the Minerals Council, to pass the mining fast-track EPBC reforms before Christmas?

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

Senator Waters, if you will indulge me, I just want to give a shout-out to the kids from Darwin, at Malarndirri McCarthy's request. To Indiana, Ebony, your classmates and teachers at St Paul's primary: Senator McCarthy says, 'G'day,' as do we all.

Senator, your question is an array of many inaccuracies. We want to host the COP primarily and most importantly because we want to elevate the voices of the Pacific. That is the approach we have taken all the way along. That is why I've engaged at the Pacific Islands Forum at the foreign minister's level. That's why Minister Bowen has engaged with the PIF in his track, and the Prime Minister has engaged with the Pacific Islands Forum at a leader level. We have engaged very closely with the Pacific, not only then but also at UNGA, the UN General Assembly, where both Minister Bowen and I met with Pacific representatives to talk through trying to find a way through to get this conference held in Australia, importantly, to elevate Pacific experience and Pacific voices.

In terms of the assertion about the mining companies, I don't believe I have ever—I might be wrong—but I can't recall ever having a conversation with a resource company about our bid to hold COP. I know you like conspiracy theories, but what I would say to you is that you're not on track. The discussions continue. I wish we had resolved this earlier, of course I do. Certainly I know the importance of elevating the Pacific experience, because the Pacific, as you know, are experiencing climate change here and now. It's affecting livelihoods, national security, economies as well as food security and so much more.

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 nations and First Nations communities have urged all nations, including Australia, to phase out fossil fuels in order to prevent the climate catastrophe that is making their homes unliveable. How can we expect the UN to take our bid seriously if we're not even doing what our bid partners are asking of us?

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

Senator, sometimes I wish that you could actually see some of the engagement or in fact engage with some of the Pacific leaders whom you utilise in your political rhetoric here; we do, and what you are suggesting about some of the approaches is simply not accurate. For example, President Whipps, of Palau, recognised Australia's leadership in setting what he described as 'incredibly ambitious and achievable 2035 emissions reduction targets'. I know that doesn't assist your narrative, but have some respect for the Pacific leaders who actually do recognise what we are doing. What I'd also say to you is we have had widespread support for our bid from across the international community and in the group that we are part of within the UNFCCC.

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

This government's proposed new environmental laws don't take account of climate impacts but do include a new fast-track pathway for coal and gas projects that the Minerals Council and Chevron and BHP are delighted by. Has Australia's determination to fast-track fossil fuels jeopardised our bid to host COP31?

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

I can, hand on heart, say I don't recall anyone ever raising the EPBC Act with me in any international forum. If I've misled you, I will come back to the chamber and correct it. I don't believe there's been any discussion about the EPBC legislation that Minister Watt is putting forward. Obviously people do have views, and I would say this, very simply: we want stronger protections for the environment and we want faster decisions for business. It's entirely up to the Greens whether you choose a path that ensures that you are not relevant to a discussion about where the environmental laws will be in decades to come or whether you choose a path where you are. That relevance does depend on whether you are prepared to engage with the government of the day or whether you continue to stake out a position that you know will lead to legislation being passed with the support of the coalition.