In response to the earlier draft, Bandt had demanded the Labor government “Dutton-proof” the targets against any future government’s plans to overturn them, calling for commitments to raise ambitions to be enshrined in law.
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Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen signaled on Monday that the government was moving to make clear that its legislated target would set the stage for the government’s climate ambition.
“The bill makes clear that 43% is our minimum commitment and does not preclude our collective efforts to deliver even stronger reductions over the next decade,” he said.
Bowen said enshrining the target in law would “end the climate wars” and would be crucial to creating certainty for businesses and investors, which are needed to fund hundreds of billions of dollars in new infrastructure and technology to move to a low-emissions economy.
He said Labor has been given an electoral mandate to meet its 43% target, arguing that raising that target so soon after the poll would erode investor confidence.
“We went to the election promising to cut emissions by 43 percent by 2030, they gave us a mandate, and now we’re delivering on that,” Bowen said Monday.
Chris Bowen has indicated that the government is moving to make clear that its legislated target would set the stage for the government’s climate ambition. Credit: Oscar Colman
“This Bill confirms our commitment to ambitious but realistic targets supported by Australia’s states and territories, business, industry, unions, environmental and community groups, and provides a platform for collaboration to reduce emissions while ensuring a reliable energy supply.”
Labor made an election promise to enshrine its target of cutting greenhouse emissions by 43 per cent by 2030 based on 2005 levels and the government will depend on Greens votes in the Senate to pass its legislation, as the Coalition has indicated that it will oppose the objectives. .
Labor’s bill is expected to reach the lower house on Wednesday where Labor will have enough votes to pass it on its own. The bill will go to the Senate in September and with the Coalition committed to voting against the bill, Labor will need the Greens’ 12 votes plus a cross, likely to come from independent David Pocock the ACT, which is open to Job Proposal.
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Another change proposed by Labor would also insert the new emissions target into the goals and roles of key agencies such as CSIRO, the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, Infrastructure Australia and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.
Even if the Greens and the Coalition decide to block Labour’s bill, Labor can deliver its key measures to reduce carbon emissions without new legislation by increasing renewable energy projects and limiting industrial pollution.
The bill does not contain specific mechanisms to increase emissions reductions, such as using the existing safeguard mechanism to force stricter carbon pollution limits on the nation’s 215 biggest industrial polluters.
Despite its shortcomings in the eyes of the Greens, the bill presents a dilemma for the minor party as it revives memories of its role in blocking the Rudd government’s carbon pollution reduction plan.
Although the former Labor government was responsible for withdrawing the CPRS from parliament in 2010, the Greens have taken the blame from some for helping to ignite Australia’s climate wars for a decade when they felt the scheme it was inadequate and they blocked the legislation.
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