4th Aug 2022, 9:51 AM – Representatives Climate Change Bill 2022, Climate Change (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2022 - Second Reading - Agree with bills' main idea

The majority voted in favour of a motion to read the bills for a second time. In other words, they voted to agree with the main idea of the bills so they can now discuss them in more detail

Crossing the floor

Bass MP Bridget Archer (Liberal) crossed the floor to vote "Yes" against the rest of her party, which voted "No."

What is the main idea of the bills?

According to the Explanatory Memorandum:

Under the Paris Agreement, to which Australia is a Party, countries are required to communicate their Nationally Determined Contribution, or NDC, which sets out their emissions reduction ambitions. On 16 June 2022, Australia communicated its updated NDC under Article 4 of the Paris Agreement to the UN. This updated NDC included confirmation of Australia’s commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, and a new, increased, 2030 target of 43% below 2005 levels by 2030.

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This bill will ensure that Australia’s emissions reduction targets are not just recorded in international settings, but are clearly stated in Australia’s domestic law. As reflected in the objects clause of the bill, Australia’s emissions reduction targets will contribute to the global goals of keeping global temperature rise this century well under 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and pursuing efforts to keep warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Formalising the targets in legislation will deliver certainty to the Australian community about what these commitments are, and underscore their importance to the future of this country. The targets set a floor on Australia’s emissions reduction ambition, not a ceiling. There is nothing in this bill that would prevent these targets being surpassed or achieved early.