Labor’s safeguard mechanism faces Coalition call for more detail

The Coalition will put the blowtorch to the safeguard mechanism in the Senate, amid growing unrest about its lack of clarity.

Climate Minister Chris Bowen. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

The Coalition will try to gag ­ debate on Labor’s signature ­climate policy when parliament returns in two weeks, as it seeks to delay the passage of Anthony Albanese’s safeguard mechanism reforms and put his election mandate at risk.

Opposition environment spokesman Jonno Duniam warned that the impact of the mechanism on Australian households and businesses would be “severe” with businesses passing on “hundreds of millions of dollars” in costs to consumers.

“In the wake of Minister Bowen’s weak excuses, the ­Coalition will seek to stop the Safeguard Mechanism Bill from being debated until the modelling behind it – and a clear understanding of its full impacts on Australians across the country – is released,” Senator Duniam said.

“The ramifications of this bill on Australian households and businesses will be severe.”

Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen formally rejected demands from the Greens, crossbenchers and the Coalition to release government modelling into the safeguard mechanism.

The Greens and Coalition this week accused the government of being in contempt of the Senate, joining forces in parliament to support a motion for the release of “secret” modelling on carbon offsets and emissions.

Mr Bowen advised the Senate on Thursday that he would not release the Australian Carbon Credit Units modelling on the grounds it would breach cabinet in-confidence and market sensitivities.

Senator Duniamsaid the ­former Coalition government released equivalent modelling on its strategy to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

“It’s very clear that they have something serious to hide,” he said.

Senator Duniam will need support from the Greens, who are withholding their position amid ongoing negotiations with the government. But the minor party’s climate change spokeswoman, Sarah Hanson Young, this week threatened to walk away from talks if Labor failed to release the modelling.

Mr Bowen on Friday ramped up his ­attacks of the Coalition’s rejection of the policy, calling the party “anti-business”.

Major business groups this week urged the federal opposition to back the safeguard mechanism amid concern a lack of bipartisan support could scare off foreign investment needed for the transition.

“They’re against the National Reconstruction Fund; they’re against housing for victims of domestic violence, they’re against safeguards reforms to see our emissions come down, which industry wants, and business wants,” Mr Bowen said. “Business wants to see the safeguards mechanism passed. Peter Dutton’s Liberal Party is the party of anti-business.”