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

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. In the first three weeks of 2026, we've seen cyclones and flooding in North Queensland, floods in Sydney, fires and heatwave conditions in South Australia and, in Victoria, the worst bushfires since the 2019-20 Black Summer and catastrophic flash flooding on the Great Ocean Road. This extreme weather is undeniably worsened by climate change, which is driven by burning coal and gas. How can you possibly have approved the expansion of a thermal coal mine in Queensland last Friday and now be considering further drilling for oil and gas off the Great Ocean Road?

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

I'm happy to try and respond as best as I can, Senator, but I'm sure that the minister, Minister Watt, could probably give you a more detailed answer than I can about EPBC approvals, which I think was part of your question. The government has made our position on climate clear. We want to continue to transition our economy. We believe that is economically responsible as well as responsible from an intergenerational and environmental perspective. We also know it is not easy. We also know we have historically had a very fossil fuel dependent economy, a very resource rich economy, and if we are going to transition responsibly we need to make sure we build those industries, including export industries, and those skills and capacities which will be needed in a world that is—pays a premium for lower carbon goods and services.

In relation to energy, you would know, because you have observed this over years, that the energy transition is a really important part of transforming our economy. We have traditionally had, obviously, a very fossil fuel dependent energy system, with all that that means, because we had access to lower price resources. Shifting that is not easy, and the government has worked on that with great intent since we came to government and with the legacy, as you know, of what 22 failed energy plans and climate denial over the previous government's term has meant. It meant that there was disinvestment. That is, people gave notice that they were closing coal-fired power stations and no-one wanted to invest further. That transition is something we have worked on since we came to government. There is a lot more to do, and the government will keep doing that work for the benefit not only of household budgets but of future generations. (Time expired)

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

You don't transition off coal and gas by opening more of it, and it's the people in affected communities who are now looking at millions of dollars in clean-up costs. What is your government doing to make the coal and gas companies driving this damage pay for the consequences, rather than the innocent people being devastated by repeat climate catastrophes?

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

Senator, I'd make two points: first is that all projects must meet environmental requirements to be approved, including mining and resource projects, and second is that we have approved—and I'm grateful to Senator Watt for assisting me with this—some 130 new renewable energy projects since being elected in 2022. That includes solar farms, wind farms, batteries and more.

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

I raise a point of order on relevance. When will the polluters pay rather than people pay for the climate consequences?

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

Yes, that was part of your question, as was an issue around transition. I believe the minister is being relevant, but I'll continue to listen carefully. The minister has indicated she has finished her response. Senator Waters, second supplementary?

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

So not only does this government refuse to make the climate polluters pay for the damage they cause but the taxpayer is also subsidising that damage. Why are we paying billions every year through fuel tax credits to subsidise big coal and gas corporations to burn fossil fuels and worsen natural disasters?

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

Senator, the answer to that is in my first response. We do take the responsibility of being a government that works to change our economy, change our energy system, very seriously. But, unlike you, we recognise that that involves work, policy and economics. It's not just an angry political slogan. We take responsibility as a government for doing that and we will continue to do that, and you have seen that in the investment in renewables since we came to government. That will continue, and we will continue to be focused on the transition, which we know will take many, many years.