Greens To Support “Dutton-Proofed” Labor Climate Bill

Australian Greens Leader Adam Bandt says his party will now support Labor’s Climate Change Bill 2022 in the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Speaking at the National Press Club yesterday, Mr. Bandt said backing of the bill is now doable given changes that have been negotiated. The Greens notes those changes including “Dutton-proofing”, ensuring the 43 per cent emissions reduction target is a floor and not a ceiling and making it harder for the Government to fund coal and gas.

“The Greens have improved a weak climate bill and we will pass it, but the fight to stop Labor’s new coal and gas mines continues,” said Mr. Bandt. “In this Parliament, the only obstacle to stronger climate action is Labor.”

The Greens said there are still 114 new coal and gas projects in the pipeline.

“We’re in solidarity with First Nations communities, scientists, the global community our Pacific neighbours. You cannot put the fire out while pouring more fuel on it.”

Some of these proposed projects are already in the crosshairs of the Environment Council of Central Queensland (ECoCeQ), which last month urged Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to reconsider 19 coal and gas proposals using a provision of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

The needling about coal and gas projects aside, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Minister for Climate Change Chris Bowen were rather chuffed with the turn of events for Labor’s bill.

“I am very confident that it will be passed through the House of Representatives and through the Senate,” said PM Albanese. “This is an opportunity to end the climate wars.”

Minister Bowen was a little more realistic on the climate wars bit, stating:

“The climate wars may or may not be over, but they are certainly in retreat under this Government.”

Documents and transcripts relating to Climate Change Bill 2022 can be found here and a related speech delivered by Prime Minister Albanese in Parliament yesterday, here.

Coalition To Oppose Bill, Spruiking Nuclear

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton had previously indicated he will oppose the climate bill (no surprises there), and the party has now fallen into line (again, no surprises). Mr. Dutton has also previously stated he’s not afraid to have a(nother) debate on nuclear energy, and on Tuesday took that one step further.

Mr. Dutton has initiated a formal internal process to examine the potential for advanced and next-generation nuclear technologies (e.g., Small Modular Reactors – SMR).  The review will be led by Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy, and SMR fan, Ted O’Brien.

“It is high time that Australia had an honest and informed debate on the benefits and costs of nuclear energy,” Mr. Dutton stated.

Perhaps he missed all the others; but this could save him and his brethren time that could be better spent on something, well, productive: nuclear energy is too expensive. He might also want to have a read what the CSIRO says about the cheapest new-build electricity generation options in Australia.

On a related note, the same CSIRO report mentions local SMR projects happening this decade are unlikely – even without the nuclear energy moratorium – given the technology’s commercial immaturity and high cost.

Mr. Dutton’s announcement of the launch of the internal review follows a pretty astounding question from him to Prime Minister Albanese earlier in the week in relation to electricity price rises.

Original Source: https://www.solarquotes.com.au/blog/greens-labor-climate-mb2580/