ADJOURNMENT
Ms BRISKEY (Maribyrnong) (19:54): Climate change is the defining challenge of our time. One-in-a-hundred-year floods, record-breaking heat waves, unprecedented bushfires—these are no longer rare events and are becoming our new normal. Our country has always faced natural disasters, but, year after year, they are becoming more destructive, more unpredictable and more extreme.
The science is clear. These are the consequences of climate change. In my electorate, communities in Kensington and Flemington were devastated by floods recently.
Across Victoria, towns that have faced bushfires or floods once or twice a decade are now dealing with them almost every year. When we switch on the news, we see it everywhere. Our Pacific neighbours are seeing entire communities displaced due to climate change, and countries across the globe are counting lives lost as floods and fires strike in the places they never have before.
Climate change is real. It is happening now, and it demanded action years ago. Instead, we had to endure the decades of the climate wars, fuelled and weaponised by those opposite.
In 2022, the Australian people voted to end the division. They voted for action, and action is exactly what this Labor government has delivered. Since coming to office, Labor has delivered the biggest lift in climate action this country has seen.
We have legislated net zero by 2050 and approved record numbers of renewables projects, and we are on track for 82 per cent renewables by 2030. Last month, for the first time in our nation's history, renewables delivered more to our electricity grid than coal. After a decade of delay, we know we need to accelerate.
That's why we have accepted the most ambitious but achievable target as advised by the independent Climate Change Authority: 62 to 70 per cent cuts to emissions by 2035. This sets out our ambition to halve our emissions, doubling the pace of decarbonisation, and is exactly what the science demands. Those climate deniers opposite say it is too much, and others may say it's not enough.
The reality is that it is ambitious but, most importantly, achievable. It is ambitious because it is a clear step up from our 2030 target. It sends a strong investment signal and demonstrates Australia's credibility as a partner in the global fight against climate change.
It's achievable because we already have the foundations in place: the safeguard mechanism, our Future Made in Australia agenda, the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard and cheaper home batteries—programs that are already working for Australians like Rhonda and Mark in Travancore in my electorate. They welcomed Minister Bowen and me into their home to show us how their home battery powers their household, cuts their bills and lets them invest in more renewables.
Australians are ready for this transition. They want to be a part of it. That's why we're investing $40 million into EV charging to accelerate the rollout of our kerbside and fast EV charging across the suburbs and $50 million for local sporting clubs that are doing their bit to decarbonise and drive climate action.
Our ambition is backed by science and expert advice. Importantly, it's been delivered by a practical plan. Our net zero plan sets out a clear pathway to 2035 on the way to net zero by 2050.
It identifies five decarbonisation priorities: clean electricity across the economy, lowering emissions by electrification and efficiency, expanding clean fuel use, accelerating new technologies and scaling up carbon removals. This target is in Australia's national interest. It will protect our way of life.
It will keep our exporters, farmers and industries competitive in a decarbonising world. It will drive investment, create good jobs and ensure that we can take up the opportunity of the biggest global economic, technological and energy transformation that we have seen since the industrial revolution. We are already seeing the benefits.
The last two elections proved it. Australians want action not obstruction. They want cheaper, cleaner energy.
They want the jobs in industries of the future. This is more than just cutting emissions. It's about opportunity.
It's about security. It's about building a stronger, cleaner and more prosperous Australia. This is our moment to lead; to protect the places that we love; to cut energy bills; to create good, sustainable jobs; and to hand to our kids a future that is safer and fairer.
Our 2035 target is ambitious, it is achievable and it's absolutely necessary. My colleagues and I on this side of the chamber are here and determined to deliver it. House adjourned at 20 : 00