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Climate Change (Emissions Targets) Bill 2021 (Dib)

Published on: August 2022

Record: HANSARD-1323879322-126855

Climate Change (Emissions Targets) Bill 2021 (Dib)

Second Reading Speech

Mr JIHAD DIB (Lakemba) (11:04:59):

I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

It is an honour to lead for the Labor Party in this place to introduce the Climate Change (Emissions Targets) Bill 2021. Addressing climate change is one of the most important issues we face. It is not a question of when, but of how urgently, we act. We only have a small window of time to save this precious earth of ours. There are multiple ways to address climate change and it crosses many industries including energy generation. I am alert to the energy crisis we are collectively enduring. Let there be no doubt that this crisis is both a market failure and a government failure. Our vulnerability to massive fluctuations in global gas and coal prices, as well as our aging infrastructure, is due to a failure to adequately plan for more renewables and sufficient storage to capture the energy those renewables provide. The renewable energy evolution by its nature is not a simple act of substitution. We cannot just replace one energy source with another. Getting the mix of old and new energy right is critical to keeping prices low and lights on.

The bill is designed to deliver an energy evolution that is most practical to the people of New South Wales. People's trust is being tested. The Parliament must create a transparent mechanism to deliver the clean energy and storage that we need now and well into the future. The bill is part of a long-term solution to the current crisis. Legislating emissions reductions targets is common sense and long overdue, and that reform has been embraced by other jurisdictions. Just a couple of weeks ago, the Federal House of Representatives passed a similar bill to legislate targets and monitor plans to cut emissions. That measure to deliver certainty was supported by the Business Council of Australia, the Australian Industry Group, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Australian Conservation Foundation, the Australian Council of Trade Unions, the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Minerals Council of Australia.

The bill before the Legislative Assembly was passed by the Legislative Council in November 2021, and I have previously and jointly moved that same bill in the Legislative Assembly, but it has now expired. For more specific details on the bill, I refer members to the second reading speech I delivered on 18 and 25 November 2021. If the bill passes, we can realise the benefits of providing certainty to businesses, investors and the community whilst forging a credible path to net zero emissions by 2050. The member for Hornsby, and Minister for Energy, can rest easy, knowing the legislation provides a framework for a guaranteed pathway to net zero by 2050. It will do so by establishing a net zero commission that will provide an expert-led response to climate change by developing emissions reductions plans that place at the forefront the actions that the Government must take to secure jobs and power prices. It also places at the forefront the economic needs and diversification in local communities that are most exposed to the renewable energy evolution.

What has transpired since I last spoke on the bill is the near-constant reminder of the threat posed by climate change. We all remember the February and March storms and the flooding in New South Wales that emergency service agencies told us was exacerbated by climate change.

The science is in. The impacts of climate change are catastrophic and we must act to reverse this trend. The current energy crisis evidences a strong role for government to guarantee reliable and affordable energy. After nine years of Federal neglect, we need to restore faith in government to deliver a capacity mechanism which ensures supply and firming capacity. A net zero commission enables us to simultaneously meet our international obligations to reduce emissions and community obligations to keep the lights on and prices under control.

I look forward to debating this bill: In doing so, I want to pre-empt some bad faith arguments I have heard from the Government. First is the notion that this bill's provisions largely duplicate existing initiatives. The purpose of this bill is not to duplicate but to complement emissions reduction initiatives while legislating foundational targets. When the New South Wales Government announced aspirational targets of net zero by 2050 and a 50 per cent emissions reduction on 2005 levels by 2030, New South Wales Labor gave bipartisan support. These challenges transcend the lifetime of any one Parliament, any one Premier and any one Minister. Community, business and industry need certainty on climate targets.

The concern about the Premier's past comments describing climate change as a gratuitous waste or giving coverage to climate sceptics could be put to rest if the Government supports this bill. This leads me to the second notion I want to dispel: that is, that supporting this bill would not significantly enhance the Government's ability to reduce New South Wales emissions. Modelling in Net Zero Plan Stage 1: 2020-2030 implementation update shows that there is not currently a plan to bridge 2030 and 2050 emission reduction targets. Establishing an expert‑led commission to bridge the targets will enhance the Government's ability because it will be guided by legislative principles including job creation, economic diversification and skills diversification. This will be done in a transparent way because the independent expert-led commission will report to the Parliament with the Minister required to respond.

Third is the idea that the bill does not set out any requirements to reduce energy costs or ensure energy reliability. This is incorrect. Clause 10 (c) (ii) requires the net zero commission to monitor and review action taken by the Government and sector to address climate change, including its impact and, as the bill states, "on … the price of energy in NSW". Parliament will receive the data and can hold the Government to account for any action that would adversely affect the price of energy in New South Wales. Regarding energy reliability, legislating targets protects existing initiatives like the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap required to ensure energy reliability. Fourth is the idea that the bill would inappropriately transfer the Government's policymaking responsibilities to the net zero commission. I again remind the House that policies are still required to be legislated by the New South Wales Parliament. This bill will depoliticise the process by having policies developed and framed by independent experts.

Fifth is the idea that climate change policy requires consideration of a range of economic, social and environmental factors and government is best placed to balance these matters. The Government has demonstrated that it is not always the best place to balance these matters such as social licence and the need for adequate community consultation in regional areas. Residents in regional places like Wagga Wagga can attest to this. The Government developed its policies on advisement from departments and strikes a balance. The commission will give advice on balanced policies to the entire Parliament for consideration and adoption by the Government and indeed across the Parliament. Sixth is the idea that the existing bodies already fulfil many of the functions that the bill proposes for a net zero commission—in particular the Net Zero Emissions and Clean Economy Board and the Renewable Energy Sector Board—but firstly there is no evidence that either body has met since being announced; secondly, neither body has produced a report so no report will be delivered and tabled in Parliament; and, thirdly, Parliament and the Minister are not required to respond to any recommendations they propose.

Seventh is the notion that the net zero commission would create a risk of contradictory policy output from different New South Wales government bodies. This is a contradiction in the first critique—that it duplicates existing objectives and outcomes from the Government. The Government has claimed that it has taken considerable steps to provide policy certainty. This may be so but legislating net zero provides necessary certainty to domestic and international investors looking to support so-called green jobs and the green growth. Attracting this investment is critical to reaching net zero in New South Wales. If we do not act, New South Wales will get left behind. Contrary to what the Minister may say, New South Wales is not world-leading on climate change. We are not even Australia's leader. Multiple Australian jurisdictions already have taken the step of legislating net zero and the bill before this Chamber is modelled on equivalent legislation in those States.

I am grateful to my colleagues in the other place, particularly the Hon. Penny Sharpe, for their support and leadership in passing this bill on 24 November 2021. However, I was surprised and disappointed that the only people to oppose the bill were members of the Liberal and Nationals parties. It was rank politics and exposed the gulf between words and actions that has frustrated the people of New South Wales about this Government. Thankfully, two members of the Government explained their opposition to the bill which I can now address. The Minister for Finance, and Minister for Employee Relations, the Hon. Damien Tudehope, said:

The Government is opposing the bill not because it may not have merit but because those opposite did not give us a proper opportunity to consider the bill …

Reiterating the point, the Hon. Damien Tudehope asked that we "adjourn this debate until February next year, to give the Government an opportunity to properly consider it." It is now well past February. Back in November, in responding to those arguments, I said to the House:

I trust the Government will reverse its opposition to the proposed legislation when it comes to the Legislative Assembly, because by then those opposite will have had time to consider the bill. There will be no excuses left and it will be time to prove politics comes second to an issue as important as climate change.

The clock is ticking and time is up. The Government has had more than enough time to consider this bill and it is time to show its commitment to its own targets. Members of this House know that I am interested in outcomes, not in playing politics. That is why I say to the Government: Work with us so that together we can legislate these targets and bridge the 2030 and 2050 emissions reduction targets.

It is important as members of Parliament to honour our commitment to our communities, and in particular our children, regardless of the party or crossbench we represent. This bill guarantees a minimum of 50 per cent reduction of emissions by 2030—it is a floor, not a ceiling—and an achievement of net zero by 2050. These are the targets that we must have that are more than just an aspiration. These are targets that we have to achieve. It is incumbent on all of us to ensure that we achieve them. The tide is shifting but it is not shifting fast enough. We know the changes required. We know the challenge ahead. We know how significant this action is and we know why we need to act. We are at a critical juncture in history. Let us make sure we are on the right side of it. I commend this bill to the House.

Mr DAVID LAYZELL (Upper Hunter) (11:17:45):

I commend the member for Lakemba for raising this great topic. I think there is one thing on which we can all agree: That the challenge of climate change across the world is great and we do need to have good measures in working towards how we all make those incremental changes to deal with this challenge ahead. I am afraid, though, that may be where common sense stops with regard to this bill. We cannot support this bill that actually makes it more difficult to implement a good plan—a good practical common-sense plan that we already have in place. In the Upper Hunter we certainly know about climate change. We are aware of the challenges ahead and of course we feel like we are at the pointy end of dealing with the crisis of climate change. The energy infrastructure at the moment in my electorate is coal generators. Of course, we export a lot of coal around the world. We are very aware of the challenge of changing from coal-generated power in the Upper Hunter to renewable energy projects and generated power.

A number of different projects are proposed under the Government's net zero emissions energy road map. There is a great plan to change over to the renewable energy market, to get those projects up and running, to power New South Wales and ensure that places like the Upper Hunter remain industrial powerhouses that move forward in the future. As part of that plan, the Government is looking at different types of energy, including pumped hydro. Muswellbrook Coal has a great proposal for pumped hydro. There are solar farms around Goulburn River and Merriwa and a number of different places are going through planning approvals and the scrutiny of ensuring that those projects are in the right spot. All renewable energy projects are supported, but they must be in the right spot. We have to give community the opportunity to look at the project and to come on board. That is all important.

As the local member I fear that sometimes we get carried away with shoving renewable energy projects down the throats of the local communities. We must stand up, stop, think and make sure it is the right project for the right place. That is particularly true when it comes to wind farm projects. Those projects have caused a lot of angst, but the Government is trying to work with the community on that. I am always concerned with any proposals to speed up projects and roll over the top of the communities that have to deal with the projects in their backyards. The voices of the people must be heard when it comes to renewable energy projects, particularly wind farm projects.

During my investigation of renewable energy projects I met with an organisation the other day that is looking at offshore windfarm projects, which is an exciting future. Those projects are offshore, well and truly beyond the horizon and no-one sees them. They are being designed to work with the Australian coastline, which is very deep. Effectively, those windfarms are chained to the ocean floor. I am excited about the potential of those projects and finding a way to adapt them to the Australian coastline. Overall, New South Wales is powering ahead with its renewable energy program. We are by far ahead the other States in Australia and, I think, by far ahead of the Federal Government's plans. We have a great plan and we are powering ahead to make changes to renewable energy, which will be our contribution to a world that is dealing with climate change.

As much as I agree with the challenge of climate change, I cannot agree with some of the practical and conceptual parts of the bill, which will make it harder to roll out. In many ways it duplicates the existing plan. Duplicating the plan makes it more difficult and transfers a lot of government responsibility to a bureaucratic commission, which is not right. Elected members in this place must make the decisions affecting the community. That is all important and it is a key reason why we oppose the bill.

Supporting the bill would not significantly enhance the Government's ability to reduce the State's emissions. In fact, it could create problems for policy development and implementation. The proposed net zero commission in particular would be an inefficient use of public resources, duplicating many of the functions from the Net Zero Emissions and Clean Economy Board. An organisation is already set up to advise on the implementation and development of strategies to achieve the State's emission reduction objectives; to look at the barriers to the uptake of emission reduction technologies; to develop strategies to attract a low carbon industry economy; and to conduct research in New South Wales because we must adapt technology from around the world for our great State. In exercising its functions the Energy and Utilities Administration Regulation that governs the board requires it to consider the New South Wales Government's 2030 and 2050 emissions reduction targets and to promote economic growth and employment.

The Coalition Government is taking real action on climate change and, unlike the bill, its policies provide a clear pathway forward. Members should remember that when debating this bill. At the moment New South Wales is projected to reduce emissions by between 47 per cent and 52 per cent compared to 2005 levels by 2030. That is a significant target and there is a plan to achieve it. I am proud of the work being done to achieve it. Climate change policy requires the consideration of all sorts of economic, social and environmental factors. This Government is best placed to balance those matters in the interests of New South Wales. We cannot hand that all‑important responsibility off to a commission. Members in this House must make those decisions. If bad decisions are made that could impact our economy and the people in the Upper Hunter. That concerns me the most about the bill.

Extension of time

Stage one of the net zero plan is the foundation for this Government's action on climate change. The plan will attract more than $37 billion in investment and create more than 9,000 jobs, primarily in regional New South Wales, and more jobs will emerge in the flourishing green hydrogen industry. The Government's hydrogen strategy is expected to create up to 10,000 jobs in regional New South Wales over the next decade. There is no better place for a hydrogen economy than in the Hunter Valley and the Upper Hunter. []

The Upper Hunter is looking into hydrogen. It has the infrastructure, the water and the people. I am excited about a future in hydrogen to power our economy, our businesses and manufacturing, and I am excited for it to be an industry that we can export overseas. There are huge opportunities available. I think the Premier just travelled to Japan. Japan is ready for our hydrogen and is keen for Australia to use the resources it has on hand. Japan is excited about the availability of renewable energy, particularly solar, and being able to turn that into something that countries like it can use daily. Australia can export that product and potentially become global leaders with its resources, like ports, rail and energy markets.

There is a great road map ahead as part of the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap. Our strategy is to transform our electricity system into one that is cheap, clean and reliable. The Government's road map will reduce New South Wales electricity emissions by 90 million tonnes by 2030, while keeping the lights on and the prices down. That should be the target for any government in this place. New South Wales has become the leader in low-emissions industries, thanks to an unparalleled $1.05 billion Net Zero Industry and Innovation Program. The Government is co-investing with industry to reduce carbon emissions and develop the technologies and industries that will underpin our State's prosperity into the future.

To that end, the Government is also taking steps towards decarbonising our transport sector. Our electric vehicle strategy will help make New South Wales the best place to buy, own and run electric vehicles anywhere in Australia. I thank the Minister for the number of discussions I have had about making sure that we have the charging infrastructure in place so we can adapt to this changing vehicle market. I note that the Minister, and member for Tamworth, is in the Chamber. We are working hard to make sure that the New England Highway will be an electric vehicle super highway. We hope that one of these days people can drive to the area in their powerful electric vehicles, go bush or maybe even drive all the way to the music festival. That is the future on our doorstep and we encourage the infrastructure to be built for that.

We have policies in train to rapidly scale up the use of low-emission materials in the construction industry. The Government is investing more than $4.8 million to speed up the transformation of the State's built environment towards net zero emissions as part of the New South Wales Government Net Zero Buildings initiative. We have the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service Carbon Positive Plan, a policy under which our National Parks and Wildlife Service aims to become the first carbon-positive national parks agency in Australia. The bill proposes a Net Zero Commission that would be inefficient and inappropriate in terms of transferring what I think is the responsibility of both sides of the Chamber. Therefore, the Government cannot support the bill. Climate change policy and the actions we need to address those challenges should be taken by government. They should not be done by a commission.

Thankfully for the people of this State and the planet, we have this New South Wales Government and we can all be proud of the plan we have going forward to halve our State's emissions by 2030 to help us achieve net zero by mid-century, while having affordable power. The lack of detail and clarity in the bill means it does not properly consider energy affordability and reliability. In contrast, the Government is focused on reducing the cost of living and the cost of doing business. Coalition Government polices span the width and breadth of our State's economy, and the suite of nation-building climate strategies is hard at work generating economic opportunities across New South Wales, while reducing the State's emissions. Public reporting is already in place, including the State of the Environment report. The people of New South Wales and members in this House can rest assured that New South Wales is travelling on a pathway to net zero. But the Government cannot support the bill.

Ms JULIA FINN (Granville) (11:33:00):

I am delighted to speak in support of the Climate Change (Emissions Targets) Bill 2022. The objects of the bill are to establish principles to guide actions to address climate change that must be taken into account by the New South Wales Government in developing and implementing government policy; to set 2030 and 2050 targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in New South Wales; and to establish the Net Zero Commission to monitor and report on progress towards the 2030 and 2050 targets. The bill sets out guiding principles relating to action to address climate change; establishes greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets for New South Wales that must be met by 2030 and 2050; and requires the New South Wales Government to take the guiding principles and the 2030 and 2050 targets into account in developing and implementing Government policy.

The bill also establishes the Net Zero Commission and provides for its membership; sets out the functions of the Net Zero Commission, including developing and reviewing a net zero plan; monitors actions taken by the New South Wales Government and makes recommendations to the Minister administering the proposed Act; and requires the New South Wales Government to respond to reports and recommendations from the Net Zero Commission. As my colleague the member for Lakemba said, the bill represents in the clearest possible terms NSW Labor's commitment to real, whole-of-government action on climate change. It represents an enormous point of differentiation between the current Government's words and a future Minns Labor Government's actions. Currently, the New South Wales Government is not required by legislation to meet its carbon emissions target.

That is why it is so disappointing that the previous speaker, the member for Upper Hunter, indicated that the Government will not support this important bill. There is nothing to compel it to do anything about climate change, and doing nothing about climate change is what it has done for most of the 12 years it has been in office— certainly the first decade. Indeed, the Premier has expressed views that put these targets in doubt. In 2015 he said, "An example of gratuitous waste is the almost religious devotion of the political left to climate change." The Premier said in 2016, "If you question man-made climate change, you are not a sceptic." More recently, in 2021, he implied he only signed up to net zero because it involved no additional policy changes. In other words, this is why we need the bill—because there are no additional policy changes.

The Premier also said, "In terms of net zero, we didn't have to change one policy setting to achieve that aim." In other words, the Government was claiming credit for what the market was already doing. That statement—which was rebuked immediately by his Treasurer, and Minister for Energy—is an accurate description of what the Government has done over the past 12 years. The Government is having a purely aspirational target. Recently, when the Federal Government introduced its 43 per cent reduction not target but the absolute minimum that will be achieved, the Federal Liberal and National parties voted against it. Not only that, Senator Hollie Hughes, the Federal Opposition spokesperson on these matters, is calling for nuclear energy. If members care about the pricing of electricity bills—

Ms Felicity Wilson:

Ted Obrien is the spokesperson. You may not know that but you better look into it.

TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Alex Greenwich):

Order!

Ms JULIA FINN:

Hollie Hughes has said repeatedly in the past few weeks that Australia needs to go nuclear. Maybe she does not have to worry about her electricity bills but nuclear power is the most expensive form of energy generation. The current price is over $300 per megawatt hour, which is 50 per cent more than coal and more than double that of wind. But that is the way she thinks we should go. Our former Deputy Premier and former Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner to the Americas often said that we should go nuclear.

Mr Kevin Anderson:

Point of order: The member for Granville should be brought back to the leave of the bill.

TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Alex Greenwich):

The Clerk will stop the clock. The member for Granville has been generally relevant to matters relating to climate change but I encourage her to focus on the bill before the House.

Ms JULIA FINN:

We will not talk; we will deliver. We will not shy away from the challenges, reforms or opportunities that the future presents.

Ms Felicity Wilson:

That's all you've done in the past though.

TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Alex Greenwich):

The member for North Shore will come to order.

Ms JULIA FINN:

Do you not remember the Sustainable Energy Development Authority or the other initiatives of the Carr Government?

TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Alex Greenwich):

Order! Members will direct their remarks through the Chair and not speak across the Chamber.

Ms Felicity Wilson:

She could talk about that if she wanted to.

Ms JULIA FINN:

I intend to talk about it.

TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Alex Greenwich):

Is the member for North Shore taking a point of order?

Ms Felicity Wilson:

No.

Ms JULIA FINN:

NSW Labor recognises, and has recognised for decades, that climate change is not an existential energy and environmental challenge or something aspirational to worry about later and claim credit for if it is actually addressed; it is the greatest economic opportunity of our lifetime to secure well-paid jobs, lower energy prices and energy security for New South Wales. Twenty-five years ago BP Solar at Homebush was one of the largest producers of solar panels in the world. Back then, Australia was the world's largest producer of solar panels. These days, Australia is one of the worlds largest per capita importers of solar panels. We do not make anything here. They left to go to China because China was encouraging investment in renewable energy. The Federal Liberal Government at the time said, "See ya. No, sorry, we don't want to give you a hand." The then New South Wales Government was doing a lot to support the growth of renewable energy. Then everything stopped for a decade. It was a wasted decade.

NSW Labor's bill which we are discussing today, legislates net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and a 50 per cent reduction by 2030. It reflects the approach of the Victorian and Australian Capital Territory governments and what is happening all around the world. The United Kingdom and New Zealand have legislated net zero carbon emissions by 2050. So have Germany, Sweden, the European Union, Japan, France, Canada, South Korea, Spain, Denmark, Hungary and Luxembourg. Our bill reflects the gravity and urgency of the climate crisis. It reflects the opportunities for job creation and economic diversification in new high-growth sectors such as renewable energy. It reflects the need to protect jobs and communities, as well as the importance of appropriate action to ensure intergenerational equity for households, businesses, workers, communities and rural and regional New South Wales. Over the last few years we have seen the damage of climate change in this State. We have seen the predicted increase in extreme weather events. We have seen enormous bushfires and enormous floods. We need to take action to protect the people who live in our State. It is time to turn words into action. I urge those opposite to join us in supporting this bill. I commend the bill to the House.

Mrs MELINDA PAVEY (Oxley) (11:41:02):

On behalf of the Government I will highlight what we have achieved, and are continuing to achieve, in the climate change emission target space. We have an action plan, which is working under the leadership of the energy Minister, Matt Kean. It has lead the nation. We do like the idea of collaboration, working together and showing leadership. That is why we believe that we are on the right path. We have framed a very important debate on the national stage for a renewable energy strategy. Therefore, I will not be supporting the bill.

This is an important issue for me as the member for Oxley and for the member for Northern Tablelands, who was here a moment ago but is no longer in the Chamber. We are 100 per cent supportive of a project within our electorates, midway between Kempsey and Armidale, called the Oven Mountain Pumped Hydro Energy Storage project. That project was designed in the early 1980s by the man who designed Centrepoint Tower. He was a very clever local chap. When he came back to Kempsey he bought a farm because he could foresee the mountain being part of an incredible pumped hydro project. So Bruce Jeffery, the local member for Oxley from 1988 to 1999, brought it to the government of the day and they said, No. This one doesn't stack up." Well, it stacks up now and a company called Alinta is proposing the project. I recently met with executives of that company. They hope to have the environmental impact statement [EIS] in by the middle of the year and the member for Northern Tablelands and I are working to ensure that we have good community conversations.

Alinta was founded in the gas fields of Western Australia and was acquired by a Hong Kong-based company in 2017. In construction this project would create about 3,500 jobs over a number of years. We see some great opportunities for our local Indigenous community to work on that project. It is also in the New England Renewable Energy Zone and it is a major focus of the department of Energy and Minister Kean's team to ensure that it reaches fruition. When I was the Minister for Water, we explored conversations that needed to be had about water take. This is only a one-off take of six gigalitres during a high-flow event. That is important for the community to understand because some who do not understand the project say it will take a lot of water all the time. No, it will not. It will only need to be topped up for evaporation. In respect of output, it will be about 25 per cent of the size of Snowy Hydro. Our community wants it to go ahead. There are some naysayers. But I think the more people learn about this project, the better it will be.

I see it as a genuine opportunity to improve the infrastructure between the east and west for the electorate of Oxley. The road is very unstable. It has been majorly impacted by two floods over the past two years. Some $222 million is sitting in natural disaster relief funding to improve that road. We should take this opportunity to reimagine what that road will look like, maybe even some of the route of that road to avoid some of the more treacherous parts, so that we can have a longstanding legacy of a pumped hydro project—if it meets all the environmental obligations. We can also have another more solid, important east-west route between Kempsey and Armidale to take some pressure off Waterfall Way and the Oxley Highway, the Gwydir Range and other routes we travel east to west. I note that the member for Tamworth is at the table. He well knows the need for freight movement and for improved capacity across the Great Dividing Range, which is a very challenging engineering feat.

This incredible project is about action. It is about planning. It is about ensuring we have projects that do underline and underscore our State's need for reliable energy, not just when it is windy or when it is sunny. That there is a backup battery feeding into the entire network; steering our State towards net zero emissions. I think we have shown real leadership on this and that is a very important thing to be acknowledged. Some pretty big conversations need to be had in the community. I come from a part of the world where the challenges people are facing with their electricity bills every week is hard. But if we get the investment in the right places, ultimately the cost of electricity will come down. That has to be a big part of our thinking, as well as the ultimate goal of steering towards net zero emissions. This is actual work, not just words.

Independently peer-reviewed projections have found that under current New South Wales Government policy settings emissions are projected to reduce between 47 per cent and 52 per cent by 2030, compared to 2005 levels. This will be achieved by putting these projects into the mix. It is okay to design projects on paper, but we have designers, we have Indigenous archaeologists working on that site on behalf of the company that is proposing the EIS. This is the work that our strategy has been able to accommodate to ensure that it happens. Our plan is to transfer our electricity system into one that is cheap, clean and reliable. The New South Wales Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap will reduce electricity emissions by a total of 90 million tonnes by 2030. We are also decarbonising our transport sector. Our Electric Vehicle Strategy will help make New South Wales the best place to buy, own and run an electric vehicle anywhere in Australia I highlight a local champion in our own region, Cassegrain Wines. The winery on the border of my electorate put in a charging station almost five years ago. It is a popular destination.

Mr Kevin Anderson:

They have got seven there now, do they not?

Mrs MELINDA PAVEY:

They have about seven, yes. You saw them the other night. They started that process. I was proud to be the roads Minister when the Government developed its Electric Vehicle Strategy. The Government is determined to put electric vehicle charging stations throughout regional New South Wales. It is important for our communities to be able to be part of the next evolution, or revolution, of the motor vehicle market. There are those in Sydney who have access to charging in their own garages; I understand that it is a little more challenging in apartment buildings. We want those who have electric vehicles to be able to come to regional New South Wales. It is not petrol prices that are going to stop them; it is the ability to charge their cars.

The cost of petrol and diesel is making people think about other investments over the long term, especially if they are like me; I put something like $300 in my car every week to do the kilometres across my electorate. I sometimes think that I should have a battery at home. We are all having those conversations, and the Government is enabling us to have them. It is important to acknowledge that the Government is working towards this issue. If we do so with collegiality and have good, sensible conversations at a grassroots level to understand the challenges people are facing with electricity prices—and if we also look at opportunities for investment, jobs, a new way of doing things and benefits such as improved infrastructure, like the road between Kempsey and Armidale that me and the member for Northern Tablelands are fighting for—then we can take the whole community with us on this journey. That is what the Government is doing at the moment, and I am proud to be doing that work.

Dr MARJORIE O'NEILL (Coogee) (11:51:06):

I make a very brief contribution to the Climate Change (Emissions Targets) Bill 2021. Climate change is the single biggest issue facing our communities and is the single biggest issue globally. This is a very sensible piece of legislation that holds us to account for getting to net zero emissions. I call on the Liberal‑Nationals Government to support this piece of legislation and to end the climate wars now. I thought the Government would have learnt something from the Federal election, but maybe it has not. The climate wars need to come to an end. We must address climate change. I commend the bill to the House.

Ms ANNA WATSON:

I move:

That the question be now put.

The House divided.

Ayes36

Noes43

Majority7

Motion negatived.

TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Alex Greenwich):

Under Standing Order 366, I have been informed that the member for North Shore, in her capacity as the Parliamentary Secretary, is leading for the Government in debate and as such is afforded unlimited time.

Ms FELICITY WILSON (North Shore) (12:04:14):

I lead on behalf of the Government in debate on the Climate Change (Emissions Targets) Bill 2021. This is Labor's final attempt at considering action on climate change. I note that the bill is named the Climate Change (Emissions Targets) Bill 2021. It is interesting that Labor put the bill up in 2021; it is now August 2022. While we have gone through a pandemic that impacted a lot of people's lives, Labor seems to have been in a multi-year fugue state in not realising the serious steps of climate change action taken to date in New South Wales. In 2019 this Government already approved a net zero—

Mr Jihad Dib:

Point of order: On a point of clarification, the bill is called the Climate Change (Emissions Targets) Bill 2021 because it passed the Legislative Council in 2021 and it has only come to the Legislative Assembly now.

TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Mr Alex Greenwich):

There is no point of order. The member for North Shore may continue.

Ms FELICITY WILSON:

I will start again; I think the tactics of members opposite are very interesting today. This Government can stand tall and proud on its record on climate change action. No jurisdiction in Australia has taken more decisive action on climate change in word or deed, and that has set New South Wales up for the best future opportunities to address climate change. The positioning from the member for Lakemba is, really, quite offensive. If he wants to try to patronisingly correct me about the name of the bill, perhaps he could allow me to finish my sentence.

Mr Jihad Dib:

It wasn't patronising.

Ms FELICITY WILSON:Net Zero Plan Stage 1: 2020‑2030

It was patronising. When I stated that the bill is a 2021 bill, I said that Labor has obviously been in a fugue state for the years prior to 2021 because in November 2019 the Liberal-Nationals Government, through Cabinet, committed to its —a full two years before Labor even tried to introduce the bill in this place that we are debating today. When members opposite come to this Chamber and suggest to us that they are the only ones who think about addressing climate change and have the policies to make a difference for climate change—I am sorry, but that is so 2019. Even before 2019 we had already implemented a range of different policies to address climate change. The only party or parties in this House that deliver action rather than words are the New South Wales Liberals and The Nationals.

In this place, we have made sure that we have delivered on a range of steps to embed our commitment to net zero in New South Wales and to take action on climate change, and we have progressively implemented each of those stages. In 2019 the Government announced the NSW Electricity Strategy. In January 2020 a memorandum of understanding setting out energy and emissions reduction initiatives was signed between the Australian and New South Wales governments. In March 2020 we released the detail of our net zero plan. In May 2020 our own expenditure review committee approved additional contributions to an expenditure from the Climate Change Fund, well out to 2030. It reflects the Government's commitment to delivering the electricity strategy and the net zero plan. In November 2020 the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap was announced. By 2021 the Government approved a grant from the Climate Change Fund to Tallawarra B power station in the Illawarra to ensure we could have additional dispatchable capacity to the electricity grid through gas and green hydrogen.

Those are all steps that were taken before Labor even introduced this bill, and that does not even go to the full extent of our climate change action in New South Wales. The bill is another representation of Labor's entire attitude to our State, to the policy settings that this State needs and to the needs of the people of New South Wales. All Labor does is talk, and it never takes any action. Labor members always talk too late, and they wait until they think it is politically expedient to do so. They waited until eight months out from an election to put up a piece of paper that somehow suggested they were taking a stance on climate change when they were only carbon-copying and putting the Labor Party brand on half of the things that the Government announced years ago.

The people of New South Wales have seen the Labor Party brand in action in government, and they know it is a toxic, noxious brand. They know that it is the no-frills version of government in New South Wales that will let the people of this State down. They do not trust Labor to deliver. They know that the Liberals and the National Party deliver outcomes to the people of New South Wales, especially on climate change. I find it fascinating when members opposite want to talk about the climate wars. They are the only ones trying to have a war about climate today. If they had been listening, they would know that all our Minister for Energy and our Premier have done in recent years is bat back the tide of the minority of individuals in our community who would refuse to take action on climate change. The Liberal‑Nationals Government has made New South Wales the leading jurisdiction of climate change action and outcomes in Australia.

As members have already heard today, independently peer-reviewed evidence shows that under our policies, strategies, funding and action, New South Wales is projected to reduce emissions from the 2005 target of 47 per cent to 52 per cent by 2030. We have accountability mechanisms in place to ensure that this Government remains on track to deliver on those commitments. Frankly, those opposite only play stunts in this place. They try to gag debate and they introduce bills at the last minute to ensure that we cannot talk about the issues facing the people of this State. But we actually deliver outcomes for the people of New South Wales and our entire globe. Many years ago, while members opposite were still trying to figure out their mess, this Government had already committed to action on reducing emissions in New South Wales. We have a series of different, incredibly successful policies already underway. The bill before the House pales in comparison to the actions we have already taken. It tries to replicate a number of the things we have already done, but less effectively. Those opposite are trying to enact legislation that would contradict, complicate and compromise a range of the different policy mechanisms and institutions that we have already put in place to effect the outcomes of net zero policy in New South Wales.

I am quite disappointed by members opposite. Obviously the Government is leading the charge on climate change action and delivering outcomes. From time to time Labor comes on board with us on the journey—after we have developed the policy and done the hard yards—and supports us in a vote in the House. Labor members supported our Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap because they saw our vision. They saw our detailed policy work and knew it was the right thing to do. We convinced them by doing all the hard yards and they voted for it. We appreciate their support for our initiatives, policies and actions. We should be nonpartisan in delivering outcomes to the people of New South Wales. From time to time they support us after a course of extensive work and action has been taken. In principle, they support our goals to reach net zero; however, the bill before the House shows they do not really support our actions. The Opposition is trying to throw the entire policy suite out and risk the progress we have made on climate change action.

Net Zero Plan Stage 1: 2020‑2030

Let us talk about this Government's approach so far. More than most, we know about the challenges and opportunities of addressing climate change. Not only do we focus on mitigation, adaptation and reducing the impacts of climate change but we also look at the significant economic, trade and new industry opportunities for the State. We have introduced some of the most ambitious policies in the country. Our lays the foundation for New South Wales to slash emissions 50 per cent by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050. However, the bill before us does not make an ounce of difference towards achieving a real outcome on climate change. As members know, transitioning the New South Wales economy to net zero emissions is no small task. As a Government we are working hand in hand with all the sectors that need to implement change, including energy, transport, the hydrogen sector—which we are looking to expand significantly—primary industries and organic waste. We are also working with carbon financing to develop and deliver policies that will grow the economy while creating jobs and making significant progress towards zero emissions.

The bill should be considered in the context of what our State, Territory and Commonwealth counterparts are doing, particularly as we determine the appropriate settings for offsets and the role of carbon markets. The Government has led with the establishment of the international Net Zero Emissions Policy Forum, which every Australian State and Territory has agreed to join. It will provide a platform to collaborate on the practical and economic challenges of reaching net zero emissions. Instead, those opposite propose the establishment of a Net Zero Commission with broad powers. As many in this House are aware, this Government has already introduced a Net Zero Emissions and Clean Economy Board. The board already exists and fulfils the function of the commission proposed by those opposite. They have not given members any evidence as to why that model is superior to the board model already in existence. Instead, they want to dismantle existing action on climate change.

The Net Zero Emissions and Clean Economy Board, chaired by Dr Kerry Schott, is made up of cross‑sector representatives with expertise in the electricity, power fuels, transport, and primary industries sectors, as well as those with experience in science, technology innovation, public policy and finance. That board is helping the New South Wales Government pursue actions to grow the economy, create employment opportunities and support industry to develop the low-emission technologies we need to modernise our industrial processes. We say we have already got a tick on that score. What is the point of Labor's grandstanding bill?

New South Wales is leading the way in ambitious climate policy. Our net zero plan is set to attract more than $37 billion in investment while also reducing emissions by 50 per cent, as we have committed to, below 2005 levels by 2030. We are implementing our Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap, which will help reduce New South Wales electricity emissions by a total of 90 million tonnes by 2030. We are also decarbonising our transport sector. I know the member for Oxley spoke a bit about this in her contribution to this debate, but our Electric Vehicle Strategy will make New South Wales the best place than anywhere in Australia to buy, own and run an electric vehicle. We have got policies in train to rapidly scale up the use of low-emission materials in the construction industry.

In March 2021 we announced a $750 million investment under our Net Zero Industry and Innovation Program. This will support the development of new clean technologies. It will create world-leading centres of research and development and help our existing industries futureproof their operations. We recently expanded the program to $1.05 billion through to 2030, to build the State's clean manufacturing base, and to new clean technologies such as green hydrogen, cement, ammonia and steel production. Under its carbon positive plan, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service is set to become the first national parks agency in Australia to commit to being carbon positive.

This Government is also creating jobs and opportunities for the people of regional New South Wales in a range of different policy settings. For instance, over the next decade our hydrogen strategy will create up to 10,000 jobs in regional New South Wales. That will ensure that our regional communities have skilled and well-paying jobs for future generations. The hydrogen strategy is also attracting the interest of the globe. The world is demanding our ability to provide export markets. The Premier's recent trip to Japan and South Korea demonstrated the need in those markets for green hydrogen. Who has the capability and capacity to deliver that? It is New South Wales. Frankly, it could happen in many jurisdictions across Australia, but we are leading the charge to make New South Wales an energy superpower.

We know the global market is transitioning away from fossil fuels. We are at the forefront to catalyse the industry that will help that transition domestically and ensure that we can continue to be a global export energy superpower through green hydrogen and green ammonia. We can then invest the proceeds into our own production. On green steel production, not only will we send our materials overseas to be produced into final products but we will have the entire life cycle here within Australia, which will deliver jobs, industries and manufacturing plants to regional areas in particular. We are not only creating our own renewable energy, we are utilising that to create products that can be used in Australia and across the globe. That is also emphasised by our relationship with Germany, as Mr Alex Greenwich would be aware. The demand for those products around the globe is immense and New South Wales is best positioned out of any Australian jurisdiction to meet that global demand. That will happen because of the Government's investment in our hydrogen hubs strategy for Illawarra and the Hunter and in different catalysing opportunities.

Thanks to the actions I have mentioned so far, New South Wales is already on track to meet its target of halving emissions by 2030. An independent peer review confirms we are on track to meet our emissions reductions targets and our goal to move towards net zero by 2050. The other proposition within the bill is that we need to be a climate change leader, but New South Wales is already a climate leader. The Government has a target to reduce New South Wales emissions by 50 per cent compared to 2005 levels by 2030, and to achieve net zero. Those are the same targets proposed in the bill. I ask the member for Lakemba: What happened to him and Labor in 2019 when the Government committed to net zero? When we introduced our policy commitment to net zero, what was Labor doing? I do not want to reflect on what Labor was doing while the Government was getting on with the job.

It has taken the Opposition a couple of years to put a policy together—a policy that mirrors ours in many ways, but is inferior in most ways. In 2019 we made the commitment and in 2021 Labor decided it wanted to legislate for that, but we already have independent, peer-reviewed advice that we are on track to meet it. When Labor says it wants to legislate an outcome that we have been in train to deliver for many years, I say to Opposition members, "Welcome to the party, ladies and gentlemen. Join us. Become advocates and supporters of our strategies and policies to achieve outcomes on climate change." They do not need to fight against us by attempting to disrupt the debate in the House. Just get on board because we are already delivering outcomes on climate change. We want to work together with Labor. The member for Lakemba is an incredibly intelligent, capable, well‑meaning individual. If he worked with us we could achieve even better things.

Mr Ryan Park:

That is debatable.

Ms FELICITY WILSON:Net Zero Plan Stage 1: 2020-2030

That was an imputation from the member for Keira. We could achieve even better things if Labor came on board and supported our climate leadership position. The foundation of the Government's action on climate change is, of course, the , which was committed to in 2019—two full years before Labor introduced its bill. That plan includes a suite of policies and strategies that target the whole economy to reduce emissions. The Net Zero Plan and related climate policies in this State are expected to attract up to $37 billion of private investment, support more than 9,000 jobs and lower household electricity bills by $130 per year. The member for Oxley spoke about that quite a bit. The Government must do a number of different things. We have to consider how to reduce emissions; how to support the transition of regional jobs and economies; how to catalyse new industries; how to transition sectors like transport, heavy transport and passenger vehicles; and how people in our community will adjust to those impacts, particularly on energy costs.

Members in this place know that global energy shocks are underway that are rippling through our communities. Look at the price of gas, which is impacting the price of heating, electricity and fuel. We must always keep an eye on the affordability of electricity because many people are concerned about their ability to keep the lights on. We must continue to have that focus. We must ensure reliability of electricity across New South Wales. The lights have been turned off in jurisdictions in Australia and across the globe. There have been regular brownouts and blackouts. We cannot have that in New South Wales. The Government is addressing climate change, and it is the only team in this House that is capable of juggling the balls and addressing multiple challenges at once. We are addressing climate change, industry development and the affordability and reliability of our electricity supply. Members opposite are not interested in doing that because all they do is put up legislation that is too late, too weak and too ineffective to create outcomes.

Mr Jihad Dib:

Move amendments.

Ms FELICITY WILSON:

If the member for Lakemba would like, I could amend the entire bill, but we already have policies in place.

TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Ms Sonia Hornery):

Members will direct their comments through the Chair.

Ms FELICITY WILSON:NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap

Under our current Government policy settings, New South Wales emissions are projected to reduce by between 47 per cent and 52 per cent by 2030. Our record on climate change demonstrates our ambition, and we are speeding ahead with the transition to net zero. In November 2020 we released the to deliver a clean, affordable energy system for the State. It will unlock billions of dollars in investment in renewable energy and create thousands of jobs. In March 2021 we announced the Net Zero Industry and Innovation Program, committing $750 million to supporting our industrial sector to seize the opportunities of the net zero transition and invest in the clean technologies of the future. Recently we expanded the program to $1.05 billion to 2030 to build the State's clean manufacturing base into new, clean technology, including green hydrogen, cement, ammonia and steel production.

As I flagged earlier, last year we released Australia's most generous electric vehicles package. We are investing more than $500 million in tax cuts and incentives to drive uptake and reduce barriers for electric vehicle purchases over the next four years. That is above and beyond every other jurisdiction. I point out that we are the only mainland Liberal government in the entire country. The obvious conclusion is that all of those other Labor States' policies on electric vehicles are ineffectual and weak in comparison to the New South Wales Liberal Government's. If they wanted to have strong, better policies they could look to us as an example and replicate our policies.

Ms Tamara Smith:

Point of order: My point of order relates to Standing Order 129. The member is filibustering so The Greens cannot contribute to debate, which is disappointing.

TEMPORARY SPEAKER (Ms Sonia Hornery):

The member may continue but must remain extremely relevant to the debate.

Ms FELICITY WILSON:

I would have thought that The Greens would be really supportive of electric vehicles as one way of addressing climate change. I apologise to the member for Ballina if she does not believe that is relevant to the discussion on climate change. We obviously believe that it is. Look at our electric vehicle policy and the package that we have put in place. I make the comment because, in juxtaposition, the Labor Party seeks to take advantage of the community's perceptions about its ability to address climate change. To understand that juxtaposition, one must look at the track record of the Labor brand, Labor values and the Labor ethos. The blood that runs in NSW Labor's veins is the same blood that runs in the veins of members of all Labor jurisdictions across the country.

NSW Hydrogen Strategy

I apologise to the member for Albury, who is far too close to Victoria, which is governed by Labor. Compare and contrast the Victorian Labor Party's approach to electric vehicle policy, funding and strategy. The New South Wales Government's approach to electric vehicles is superior. That is the simple juxtaposition for those opposite, who could not glean the point that I was making and its relevance to climate change action. The Government is also ensuring that New South Wales seizes the opportunity that is presented to it by our trading partners' commitments to slashing their emissions. Last year we announced the , which will provide up to $3 billion of incentives to support industry development and drive decarbonisation in the hard‑to‑abate transport, industrial and energy sectors. I point out some of the largest users of electricity and energy across our State—industrial users, including manufacturing plants and aluminium smelters—have provided that most support for that policy.

Mr Ryan Park:

Point of order. My point of order relates to Standing Order 129. I speak on behalf of many members in this place when I say that this is an important issue in many of our communities, including mine in the Illawarra, which is transitioning from coal to other industries. All of those members would have liked to participate in this debate. I am very disappointed that the member is deliberately filibustering so that that does not happen.

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