“Time to crack on”: climate change legislation passes

LABOR’S climate bill legislating a 43 per cent emissions reduction cut by 2030 has passed the Senate, clearing the way for Australia’s official target to be enshrined in law.

Carried on a vote of 37 to 30 through the upper house last Thursday (September 8), a spokesperson for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the bills ensure a whole-of-government approach to drive down emissions and accountability through an annual update to Parliament.

“The passage of the climate change legislation sends a message to the world that Australia is serious about driving down emissions, and serious about reaping the economic opportunities from affordable renewable energy,” Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said.

“Legislating these targets gives certainty to investors and participants in the energy market and will help stabilise our energy system.”

The legislation further commits Australia to a target of net-zero emissions by 2050, a goal “wholeheartedly” welcomed by the Australian Energy Council (AEC) chief executive Sarah McNamara, head of the peak body for Australia’s energy retailers and generators.

“For sectors like electricity, which are already deeply invested in Australia’s decarbonisation journey, policy confidence is critical to the sector’s orderly transition,” she said.

The Australian Conservation Foundation’s climate program manager Gavan McFadzean said the bill meant Australia was no longer a “a laggard and a laughing stock.”

“This is no longer the case… it is heartening to see Australia’s legislators finally taking the climate crisis seriously.”

While welcoming the bill, the Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie said it needed to be backed up by credible action across every sector of the economy.

“The 2020s are the make-or-break decade for keeping global warming to survivable limits. Everything is at stake if we get this wrong.

“It’s time to crack on, as the climate crisis is upon us.”