The climate change bill has passed its first test in parliament

The Albanese government has a pep in its step after its climate change legislation got go the ahead from the lower house. 

The Albanese government has a pep in its step after its climate change legislation got the green light from the lower house. 

The Albanese government's climate bill has passed its first test in the lower house (the green room).

It did so with support from Labor (obvs), the Greens, independents and Liberal MP Bridget Archer who crossed the floor - abandoned her colleagues and sided with the government - to vote in favour of the legislation.

The Climate Change Bill binds Australia to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 43%.

Before the vote, the group of “teal” independent MPs welcomed the bill, saying that while they would all support its passage through the parliament, they remained committed to fighting for even higher targets.

Now it has passed the lower house - the final votes were 89-55 - it will be sent to a special committee before it goes to the Senate (the red room) in the next sitting fortnight in September for a final vote where it'll become officially official. 

The prime minister on Wednesday said the climate bill was "pretty significant" and an opportunity for the whole parliament to “be on the right side of history” following concerns the Greens would sink the bill and after opposition leader Peter Dutton refused to back it, labelling it a "political stunt". 

The legislation also hands authority back to the Climate Change Authority - a body that provides independent advice to the government - to monitor our progress.

The bill was an election commitment made by Labor and the first piece of legislation introduced to parliament since polling day on May 21.

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The legislation also requires Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen to provide annual reports to Parliament tracking Australia's progress.

"The climate wars may not be over, but they are certainly in retreat," Bowen said.

Greens leader Adam Bandt on Wednesday said his party would support the legislation, but he also criticised the bill, declaring the Greens would keep fighting for more ambition from the government on climate change.

"While the Government has been unwilling to adopt science based targets and place a moratorium on new coal and gas we have been able to secure improvements (to the bill)," he said.

"Ensuring the target can be ratcheted up over time...  changes have also been made to put in place greater transparency accountability and stringent requirements. The Greens have improved a weak climate bill."

Bandt also levelled criticism at Labor for refusing to rule out new gas and coal projects.

He said the Greens would reserve the right to propose amendments to Labor's budget, which will be unveiled in October. 

"It is really disappointing that Labor has made it so clear over the last few weeks that they want to continue to open new coal and gas projects," Bandt said.

“The greens have improved a weak climate bill but the fight to stop Labor’s new coal and gas mines continues and, in this Parliament, the only obstacle to stronger climate action is Labor."

Albanese said the legislation presented an opportunity "to end the climate wars" amid criticism of the Greens in 2009 for rejecting a bill that would have required polluters to pay for their greenhouse gas emissions through an emissions trading scheme over concerns it didn't go far enough.

He urged the Coalition to agree to the climate bill so the "whole of parliament can be on the right side of history".

"If the Coalition decide to break with their rhetoric and actually come to the table and listen to the business community who are saying that what we need is investment certainty... investment in clean and cheap energy," he said.

But Albanese was also at pains to draw a distinction between Labor and the Greens, declaring "this is Labor legislation, not Greens' legislation".

Dutton on Tuesday ruled out the Coalition's support for the new climate bill but said the Coalition would push for a debate about nuclear energy.

He said it was "high time" to have a debate about nuclear energy, while claiming it could reduce rising power prices.

Independent MP Dai Lee - who knocked out former Labor Senator Kristina Keneally at the polls in the Sydney seat of Fowler - said she would not vote on a bill that's been "rushed through parliament".

I will be abstaining from voting on the Climate Change Bill.

I can’t justify voting yes on a bill that’s been rushed through parliament when we haven’t been given any specific details of the immediate impact on communities like Fowler.https://t.co/k2lhX9pGqV

— Dai Le (@dai_le) August 3, 2022

Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Andrew McKellar said the Greens' support for the bill was in the national interest and would provide certainty for business.

“Reliable, affordable and sustainable energy requires long term planning, a government-wide approach and clear signals to the market," he said. "The government’s emissions reduction plan offers a pathway to achieve the economic and technological transition towards a more sustainable future."

McKellar said the announcement signalled an end of the climate wars.