Chris Bowen promises to introduce Bill to legislate emissions targets in first week of parliament

The Albanese government has made a bold call on its climate targets. But will the parliament call their bluff?

Chris Bowen has confirmed the government will seek to legislate its climate targets in the first sitting week of parliament.

The Climate and Energy Minister made the announcement in his address to the National Press Club on Wednesday.

The Bill will include the government’s 2030 and 2050 targets, restore the role of the Climate Change Authority and require the minister to report annually on the progress against the targets.

But he issued a bold warning to the crossbench that if they were not interested in working with the government, it would move on without legislation.

“If there’s a good idea which improves, not undermines, the Bill I’m happy to hear it and work with it, but we won’t be entertaining any amendments which are not consistent with our agenda and mandate,” he said.

“Just as we are being clear that we regard legislation as being best practice, we’ve also been clear that the legislation is not required and if the parliament doesn’t wish to pass it we’ll simply get on with the job as we have already started to do.”