The Albanian government has approved the climate bill in the lower house with several amendments.
The new bill sets a 43 per cent emissions reduction by 2030 and net zero by 2050, which is an update to Australia’s obligations under the Paris Agreement.
The bill was approved by the House of Representatives with 89 votes to 55.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks to Greens leader Adam Bandt and crossbench MPs ahead of the vote on the bill. (Alex Ellinghausen)
“I am very pleased that climate legislation has passed the House of Representatives,” said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
“This is the fulfillment of a core promise we made at the election of a 43% reduction in emissions by 2030 and a renewable sector that will grow to 82% of our national energy market by 2030.”
The government was able to pass the bill after the Greens and blue-green independents support it.
But top MPs say the bill does not go far enough in terms of reducing emissions, but agreed to vote to move the debate forward and give businesses more certainty about clean energy investments.
The Albanian government has passed its climate bill in the lower house. (AP)
Greens leader Adam Bandt said the passage of the climate bill is a “small step towards tackling the climate emergency”.
Bandt said the climate bill’s “good work” can be undone by new coal and gas mines.
“If they continue, they will blow up Labour’s weak aims,” he said.
“Even one of these projects, the Beetaloo Basin, would increase Australia’s pollution by up to 13 percent.
“If 114 of these projects go ahead and Labor is currently supporting them, Australia’s pollution could rise by an extra third from where we are now.”
Greens leader Adam Bandt said passing the climate is a good but small first step. (9 News)
Meanwhile, independent MP Zali Stegall previously said the climate bill is “exciting”.
“This is an exciting day, we are locking in zero law by 2050,” Stegall said.
“The climate wars are almost over.”
The Coalition refused to support the bill, claiming it was “unnecessary”.
“If the legislation had been necessary to commit to higher-level targets, I would have wanted to support it in a heartbeat,” said shadow minister Simon Birmingham.
“I would have expected that we would have to go back to the back, but it wasn’t necessary.”
However, a Liberal MP, Bridget Archer, crossed the floor to vote with Labor and the Independents in favor of the bill.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he was pleased the climate bill was passed in the lower house. (9 News)
Albanese took aim at the Coalition for not supporting the bill, claiming it was “stuck in time while the world warms around it”.
“They have an opportunity when the legislation comes to the Senate to change their minds and move into the 21st century and make themselves relevant to the debate,” Albanese said.
“The impact of climate change is real. We need a response that is real.”
The bill will go to the Senate next month.
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