The support of the Greens came despite Bandt saying he is “bitterly disappointed” over the government not banning new coal and gas projects. Source: Adam Bandt, Facebook.
The Greens will support Labor’s climate change bill that legislates a 43 per cent emissions reduction target by 2030.
Greens leader Adam Bandt said the party will give their support to the climate bill when he was speaking to the National Press Club.
The government needed the support of either the Coalition or the crossbench to pass the climate bill in the Senate.
“The parliament is about to, after a decade of inaction and denial and delay, to move forward,” said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
“This is an opportunity for the whole of the parliament to be on the right side of history.”
The Coalition confirmed their opposition to the bill on Tuesday, saying they support reducing emissions but legislating the target would not have practical value and removes flexibility to respond to the global environment.
With the support of the Greens, the bill will need the support of at least one other senator to pass.
Independent senator David Pocock has already indicated he will support it.
The support of the Greens came despite their reservations, with Adam Bandt saying he is still “bitterly disappointed” over the government not banning new coal and gas projects.
He said despite his party lending their support, they will keep fighting against new coal and gas projects and that improvements to Labor’s bill have been secured.
“Changes have also been made to put in place greater transparency, accountability and strengthen requirements on the Climate Change Authority,” Bandt said.
He said the Greens will vote to send the bill for inquiry, in the hopes of proving the government’s climates policies would be unsuccessful in meeting the 43 per cent target.
“Labor might be holding out now, but their position is ultimately untenable, and they can’t go to upcoming climate summits, vowing to open new coal and gas projects and expect to be taken seriously,” he said.
While Labor does not require writing the 2030 climate target into law for it to achieve the 43 per cent target, it argues writing this into law will send a strong message of commitment within the country and internationally.
