‘Do better’: Anthony Albanese called out ahead of major test on climate

Anthony Albanese has been accused of “recycling” Scott Morrison’s lines as battlelines are drawn for the government’s first test.

Greens leader Adam Bandt has remained coy on whether his party will support the government’s climate targets when it comes to a vote this week.

The bill to enshrine a 43 per cent emissions reduction target by 2030 and net zero by 2050 is expected to pass through the lower house this week, where the government has the numbers.

But in the Senate, where Labor does not have the numbers, the government needs the support of the Greens and one crossbench member to pass the targets.

Greens leader Adam Bandt won’t say if he will vote for the bill this week. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Speaking with Sky News, Mr Bandt would not reveal if the Greens would support the bill in its current form, suggesting some within the party room may take a hard line.

“Part of the reason we saw the Greens vote go up at this election is people want us to work constructively with the new government but to push them to do better,“ Mr Bandt said.

“The whole ‘it’s my way or the highway’ politics has been rejected by the people at the election.”

Last week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declared he wouldn’t slap a moratorium on new coal and gas, which the Greens have been pushing for.

The climate targets were a key election promise from the government. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen intended to have the legislation pass the house in the coming week, before being sent to the Senate when parliament returns in September.

The upper house could still send the legislation to a Senate committee for further inquiry.

The emissions reduction targets are the first major test for the government on the floor of parliament.

While it does not need to legislate the targets, the government has repeatedly said it wants them enshrined in order to give business certainty.

Mr Bandt said the government’s position on coal was “untenable”. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

But Mr Bandt accused Mr Albanese of “recycling” Scott Morrison’s lines on coal, saying it wasn’t enough to be “less terrible” than the former leader.

“This position is ultimately untenable,“ Mr Bandt said.

“I think most people across the political spectrum will have different opinions about what the targets should be and how quickly to get out of existing coal and gas.

“But I think everyone ultimately agrees you don't make the problem worse while you’re trying to fix it.”

Originally published as ‘Do better’: Anthony Albanese called out ahead of major test on climate