Climate Change Bill: Wentworth MP Allegra Spender claims victory for electorate
Wentworth independent MP Allegra Spender has claimed a victory for the electorate as a landmark climate change bill puts Australia on the path to more ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets.
Wentworth Courier
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Wentworth independent MP Allegra Spender said her electorate had claimed its first big win since she swept into power in May, with a raft of amendments from independent MPs adopted in the lower house prior to the final vote.
“Wentworth finally has a seat at the table,” Ms Spender told the Wentworth Courier after Anthony Albanese’s climate bill passed in the House of Representatives.
“At the election, voters demanded a change in the way politics is done. This Climate Change Bill delivers that change,” she said.
The Bill, which pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 43 per cent on 2005 levels, passed on Thursday afternoon with support from Labor, Greens, independents and renegade Coalition MP Bridget Archer.
Before that, amendments suggested by eight independents were supported by the government, with Teal MPs claiming the Bill was stronger than it was when originally drafted by Labor thanks to their negotiations.
Ms Spender’s amendment said an annual statement outlining the effectiveness of the government’s climate change policies in contributing to the country’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets must also cover sectors covered by those policies.
The amendment passed 90 votes to 54.
The Bill will now be sent to committee before it goes to the Senate, where it should pass with the support of the Greens, in the next sitting fortnight.
Ms Spender – who campaigned on delivering a federal integrity commission and ambitious climate targets – had argued previously the business community in the affluent eastern suburbs electorate wanted clarity around climate action.
“Business needs certainty around emissions reduction targets in order to plan,” Ms Spender said. “This bill gives business that certainty – the certainty to invest and the certainty to employ.”
The former chair of green investment firm Sydney Renewable Power Company has staked a position on the opportunities for Australian business that come from ambitious climate targets.
“Australia has more to gain from a clean energy future than pretty much any other country. We should be a world leader in clean energy, and this bill is the first step to us realising that exciting dream.
“There is more to do, but as long as the federal government continues to work in good faith with the crossbench, I believe we can create laws that prepare Australia‘s economy and environment for a bright net zero future.“
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