Update on the Climate Change Bill.
From Zali Steggall:
It's been six months since I tabled the Climate Change Bill to parliament, after which it was referred to a parliamentary inquiry by the Energy & Environment Committee.
Since then, interest in the climate debate has maintained momentum as a result of a number of important events and the release of the latest scientific reports.
15 April 2021: "All key climate indicators highlight relentless, continuing climate change, an increasing occurrence and intensification of extreme events" (World Meteorological Organisation).
21 April 2021: Leaders Summit on Climate where most other OECD nations improved their commitment to reduce emissions, including the US who increased theirs to 52%.
11 May 2021: Federal Budget. Another missed opportunity to invest in a green recovery.
18 May 2021: The International Energy Agency call for an immediate moratorium on fossil fuel powered stations and the end of fossil fuel new car sales by 2030.
18 May 2021: The Morrison government commits $600m of taxpayer money to build a new gas-fired power station despite AEMO declaring that it's not needed and will only ever run for 1-2% of the time.
So, let me update you on the status of the Climate Change Bill and how it could become law
The chair of the Environment and Energy Committee is currently preparing a report summarising the written submissions and the public inquiry hearings which took place between January and March. The report will include recommendations to the House on whether all, some or none of the Bill should be adopted.
I anticipate that the report will be presented before the end of June
For the Bill to be debated in parliament, either:
a) the government must agree that a debate should take place, or
b) a majority of MPs in the House of Representatives must support what is called a “suspension of standing orders” to pause planned business and debate the Bill. For this to happen, at least two coalition MPs will need to vote in favour of a debate.
If you believe that the Australian government needs to act now and do more to address climate change, starting with a commitment to net zero, I urge you to email your MP today. Ask them to represent your views by voting in favour of a suspension of standing orders to debate the Bill if the government doesn't invite a debate itself. You can use the "Email my MP" feature on our website to quickly find the correct address for your MP.
There will be a Federal election in the next 12 months so make support for the Climate Change Bill an election issue in your electorate.
Australia is increasingly isolated within the international community for not having legislation to take constructive and urgent action to reduce emissions and Scott Morrison will come under pressure to do more at this week's G7 meeting in the UK (11-13 June 2021.)
The sooner we commit to change, the sooner we can benefit from the growing opportunities in renewables, and the more we can reduce the economic and environmental cost of climate change.
Kind regards,
Zali
