The passing of the Albanese Labor Government’s Climate Change Bill paves the way for a new era of green lawfare in Australia.
Rather than addressing mounting cost-of-living pressures for Australian families and businesses, Labor has spent its first 100 days in government ramming through legislation Chris Bowen stated was ‘not essential’.
Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy Ted O’Brien said the legislation would wrap a new layer of red tape around the Australian economy.
“Experience overseas shows that legislating targets hands control over major infrastructure
projects to green activists,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Evidence gathered by the Senate Inquiry found the legislation would make it harder to build the roads, rail, aviation, and port projects Australia needs.
“It is clear that in their rush to play politics, Labor hasn’t thought through the consequences of this legislation and unfortunately it will be everyday Australians who pay the price.”
Labor’s Bill risks:
- Stopping Export Finance Australia from supporting Australian resources companies that want to access overseas markets, or financing much-needed infrastructure improvements in the Pacific.
- Forcing Infrastructure Australia to prioritise less emissions-intensive public transport projects in urban areas over major road projects in regional areas, or new ports and airports.
- Preventing the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility from supporting our traditional industries, particularly in the energy and resources sector, and the development of a new critical minerals processing industry.
“The Albanese Labor Government promised there would be no power sharing arrangements with the Greens, yet at the very first opportunity they have re-written their climate policy to keep Adam Bandt happy,” Mr O’Brien said.
“This legislation will make it harder for new energy and resources projects to come online. Less supply means higher energy prices for Australian households and businesses.
“The Coalition is open to sensible policies that support real and practical action to reduce emissions. We will not support policies that put our energy and national security at risk.”
“Labor’s legislation is a direct attack on Australian jobs and the prosperity of our regional communities”
Under the former Coalition government, the Productivity Commission was tasked with conducting five-yearly reviews of the impact of Australia’s emissions reduction policies on the regions.
Labor has removed all safeguards protecting rural and regional communities from Australia’s Nationally Determined Contribution, required under the Paris Agreement.
The Coalition’s Long-Term Emissions Reduction Plan, released on 26 October 2021, would have seen Australia achieve net-zero emission by 2050, while preserving Australian jobs and traditional industries.