‘The time for action is now’: Labor’s climate bill introduced into parliament

Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen has introduced Labor’s legislative package which enshrines the government’s 43 per cent emissions reduction target in law.

Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen has introduced Labor’s legislative package which enshrines the government’s 43 per cent emissions reduction target in law, declaring “the time for action is now.”

‘We don’t have a second waste,” Mr Bowen said.

Mr Bowen argued the legislation was about implementing “best practice” and argued it would “attract (the) investment and skills … needed for the transition to net zero.”

“We have the resources, the capability and the know-how to become a clean energy superpower,” Mr Bowen said.

He also said the passage of the bill would “send a strong signal about the priorities of this parliament.”

“Our country and our parliament have wasted long enough,” he said.

Mr Bowen also lashed out at the Peter Dutton led Coalition for opposing the legislation.

Earlier, the government signalled it could “walk away” from its climate legislation if it couldn’t get the support of the Greens.

The Greens had held firm that 43 per cent was not a good enough target, and would require Labor to enshrine a moratorium on new coal and gas projects as part of the legislation.

Mr Bowen said the legislation that would be tabled would specify 43 per cent was the minimum – a “floor, not a ceiling”; but there will be no moratorium on coal and gas.

Mr Bowen said he was prepared for the possibility of the legislation not passing the Senate, but he hoped it would not come to that.

“Our country and our parliament have wasted long enough,” Mr Bowen said.

“This legislation is not essential, it’s desirable. It’s best practice. We’ve already notified the UN of our target,” he told ABC News.

“So we can … walk away (from legislation) if absolutely essential. But that’s not our intention.

“Our intention is to work cooperatively across the parliament for good climate laws.”

Mr Bowen said he had welcomed discussions with crossbenchers, and chastised the Opposition for failing to come to the table.

“There’s a bit to go yet … There will be ongoing discussions,” Mr Bowen told the Nine Network.

Greens leader Adam Bandt on Tuesday said the government needed to recognise power was shared in the senate, and the crossbench needed to be brought on-side.

Earlier on Wednesday, Mr Bowen said while he respected Mr Bandt’s position, Labor was the one in government.

“We sought and received a very clear mandate … We won a majority in the House of Representatives and we intend to implement that mandate,” Mr Bowen said.

“But a sensible government of grown ups talks to people in good faith. I’ve been doing that with the Greens, with the crossbenchers, and I thank the independents and the crossbenchers for their engagement.

“I don’t thank the Liberal party for their engagement because under Peter Dutton there hasn’t been any.”

Independent Mackellar MP Sophie Scamps said she was “really grateful” the government had “taken time” to consult with her and other independents and crossbenchers.

“I think that’s what has been expected by many people that we move forward collaboratively,” Dr Scamps said.

“There’s been a bit of movement on the draft bill, so it will be interesting to see what comes today.

“I’m excited that we’re having definitive action on climate change.”

Nationals senator Matt Canavan said the government and crossbenchers should be spending more time on driving down bills than legislating the 2030 target.

“I just feel the priorities are wrong. We are talking about a 2030 target when people can’t pay their bills next week,” he told the Nine Network.

“Why aren’t we talking about those things?”

- With NCA NewsWire