8th Sep 2022, 1:34 PM – Senate Climate Change Bill 2022, Climate Change (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2022 - in Committee - Transparecy and ARENA loopholes

The majority voted against amendments introduced by ACT Senator David Pocock (Independent), which means they were successful and will now form part of the bills. Once the bills in their new form are passed in the Senate, they will return to the House of Representatives for their agreement.

What are the amendments?

Senator Pocock explained that:

The first amendment on sheet 1621 requires that the annual climate change statement consider the risks presented by climate change. Climate change presents unparalleled risks to the systems that support life on this planet and all the people and places we love, including the future of the young people observing us today.

[...]

Amendments (2) and (3) on sheet 1621 require that there is public consultation before the annual statement on climate change. These amendments will allow the scientific community and the broader Australian community to make clear the risks of inaction and the benefits of action.

Amendments (4) and (5) on sheet 1621 require advice from the Climate Change Authority be made public before or at the same time as the annual statement on climate change. The explanatory memorandum to this bill uses the words 'accountability' and 'transparency' 18 times. This amendment means that if advice is not accepted, the government can be called out. This is fundamental to transparency and accountability.

The amendment on sheet 1620 relates to ARENA. During the inquiry into the bill, concerns were raised in relation to the scope for ARENA to fund non-renewable energy sources and other problematic technologies. This amendment closes potential loopholes that could allow ARENA to fund such technologies.

Amendment text

CLIMATE CHANGE BILL 2022

(1) Clause 12, page 7 (line 24), at the end of subclause (1), add:

; and (f) risks to Australia from climate change impacts, such as those relating to Australia's environment, biodiversity, health, infrastructure, agriculture, investment, economy or national security.

(2) Clause 14, page 8 (line 24), after "subsection (1)", insert "in relation to the first annual climate change statement".

(3) Clause 14, page 8 (after line 25), after subclause (3), insert:

(3A) In considering advice to be given to the Minister under subsection (1) in relation to:

(a) the second annual climate change statement; or

(b) a subsequent annual climate change statement;

the Climate Change Authority must make provision for public consultation.

(4) Clause 14, page 9 (line 5), after "website", insert "no later than the day the annual climate change statement to which the advice relates is tabled in a House of the Parliament in accordance with subsection 12(3)".

(5) Clause 14, page 9 (lines 7 and 8), omit "Parliament within 15 sitting days of that House after giving the advice to the Minister", substitute:

Parliament:

(i) within 15 sitting days of that House after giving the advice to the Minister; and

(ii) no later than the day the annual climate change statement to which the advice relates is tabled in that House in accordance with subsection 12(3).

CLIMATE CHANGE (CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS) BILL 2022

(1) Schedule 1, page 4 (after line 6), after item 2, insert:

2A At the end of section 8

Add:

Note: Paragraph (f) allows additional functions to be prescribed related to renewable energy technologies as well as electrification technologies or energy efficiency technologies.