THE new federal government intends to speed its signature climate legislation through the lower house within the next fortnight, but does not expect it to pass the Senate until at least September.
Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen will on Wednesday introduce a bill to enshrine a 43 per cent cut in emissions by 2030 and net-zero by 2050, as promised at the election.
Greens leader Adam Bandt, who is leading negotiations on the bill with the government, has welcomed confirmation that a 43 per cent emissions-reduction target would be a minimum commitment.
Mr Bowen said 43 per cent represents a floor and not a ceiling to future emissions-reduction measures.
“We hope and expect Australia can do even better than that with the combined efforts of industry, unions, communities, governments, state and federal,” he said on Tuesday morning.
Mr Bowen said enshrining the target in law – effectively creating a framework for private sector investment in clean energy – was not expected to throw up any legal hurdles.
Mr Bandt said that move is a good step and wants to remove any chance of the legislation being wound back.
“If we’re going to pass targets and put them into law, we want to make sure it’s (opposition leader Peter) Dutton-proof so it’s not something that can be unwound at a future date,” he told ABC television.
The Greens leader had previously expressed concern the 43 per cent target would be an upper limit for emissions reduction and not able to be increased by future governments.
