The new bill locks in a 43 per cent emissions reduction by 2030 and net zero by 2050 which is an update to Australia’s obligations under the Paris Agreement.
The bill passed through the House of Representatives 89 votes to 55.
“I am very pleased that the climate legislation has passed the House of Representatives,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.
“This is a fulfillment of a core promise that we made at the election of a 43 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030 and a renewable sector that will grow to 82 per cent of our national energy market by 2030.”
The government was able to pass the bill after Greens and Teal independents supported the bill.
But the key crossbenchers say the bill doesn’t go far enough in terms of emissions reductions but agreed to vote to move the debate along and give businesses more certainty around clean energy investments.
Greens leader Adam Bandt the passing of the climate bill is a “small step to tackling the climate emergency”.
Bandt said the “good work” of the climate bill can be undone by new coal and gas mines.
“If they proceed, they will blow Labor’s weak targets,” he said.
“Even one of those projects, the Beetaloo Basin, would lift Australia’s pollution by up to 13 per cent.
“If 114 of those projects go ahead and Labor is currently backing them, Australia’s pollution could lift by an additional third from where we are now.”
Meanwhile, independent MP Zali Stegall said earlier the climate bill is “exciting.”
“This is an exciting day, we are locking into law net zero by 2050,” Stegall said.
“The climate wars are nearly over.”
The Coalition refused to back the bill, claiming it “wasn’t necessary.”
“Had the legislation been necessary to commit to higher level targets then I would have wanted to support it in a heartbeat,” shadow minister Simon Birmingham said.
“I would have expected we should back in behind it, but it wasn’t necessary.”
However, one Liberal MP, Bridget Archer, crossed the floor to vote with Labor and the independents in favor of the bill.
Albanese took aim at the Coalition for not supporting the bill, claiming it was “stuck in time while the world warms around it”.
“They have an opportunity when the legislation gets to the Senate to change their mind and to bring themselves into the 21st century and make themselves relevant to the debate,” Albanese said.
“The impact of climate change is real. We need a response that is real.”
The bill will go to the Senate next month.
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