Climate Change

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (14:41): My question is to the Minister for Climate Change. Can the minister inform the chamber about how business is responding to the challenge posed by climate change?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change) (14:42): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. It is quite clear, I think most of us will agree, that the world is acting on climate change and acting very purposefully. The one exception, of course, has remained to date our federal Liberal government, which appears intent on ignoring this growing tide, assisted by their silent state Liberal counterparts here in South Australia.

As I said, I am very hopeful that the nuanced messages that are being sent mean that there may be an ability to return to some bipartisanship in terms of how we address climate change. For example, recently I noted that at the federal level the Clean Energy Finance Corporation and ARENA, which makes grant available for renewable energy projects, have been transferred to the environment portfolio. I think that's a very strong message that the Prime Minister is sending in that regard. We are picking up those nuanced messages and are hopeful that there will be a more significant change in due course.

We in South Australia, of course, will continue to use our excellent connections with the federal government and our relationships with federal ministers to encourage them to embrace good science and good policy.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The minister has the floor.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: It is very clear that there is a growing commitment from industry, the community and governments here and around the world to ensure that we limit greenhouse gas emissions. Nothing shows this more clearly than when the business sector joins forces to call for action. Last week, a group of 12 companies representing diverse sectors, including energy and resources, retail and infrastructure, technology, banking and finance, signed a joint statement calling for action.

AGL, BHP Billiton, GE, Santos, Unilever, Wesfarmers and Westpac—some of our biggest energy and financial companies—recognise that climate is affecting our businesses and the communities in which we operate. They recognise that they, like government, have a role to play and must do their part. They go on to say—and I urge those opposite to listen up:

Investing in Australia's response to climate change will deliver significant economic, social and environmental benefits for us all.

They support the 'decoupling of economic and emissions growth' and 'recognise the need for a responsible transition to decarbonise, sustainable economic development'. They are their words. These companies represent some 12 per cent of Australia's national greenhouse gas emissions and they are willing to publicly state their commitment to acting on climate change. They are following the lead of six global major oil and gas companies that earlier this year called for a price on carbon. This government is committed to ensuring that our state plays its part in limiting greenhouse gas emissions. We will do so in a way that creates new opportunities, drives innovation and helps to grow jobs. It is time that those opposite stopped burying their collective heads in the sand and worked with us to deliver serious and long-term reform for our state.

I remind members opposite that they do not want to be left behind as their federal government now starts to throw off the shackles of an old prime minister and his old policies, slowly I admit, but the jungle drums are beating and things are happening. As I said, Clean Energy Finance Corporation and ARENA transferred to the Department of Environment under minister Hunt, who has an excellent relationship with the state government and with me. They do not want to be left behind, so they really should be paying attention to what these significant Australian companies, significant global companies, are saying and how they are acting on climate change.

Acting now is right for economic development in this country. Acting now means we avoid the costs that will come from being late acting, and the cost will be significant, not just environmentally but also economically. This is why we are committed to developing a new climate change strategy, and we will work with industry and the community to make this happen. We will even work with the opposition if they want to join with us, and embrace good policy based on good science.

We have also asked an expert panel to advise us on the economic opportunities available to us and how to grasp them. We can only hope that the elevation of this new Prime Minister, Prime Minister Turnbull, brings about some real change in climate policy in the Liberal Party, not just at a federal level but also hopefully at a state level.

In conclusion, I ask those opposite to contemplate the words the now Prime Minister said, albeit in the past:

Climate change is the ultimate long-term problem. It is always easy to argue we should do nothing or little or postpone action. It is not enough to say that you support these cuts; you must also deliver a strong and credible policy framework that will deliver them. Believing as I do, as a Liberal, that market forces deliver the lowest cost and effective solution to economic challenges, the answer must be yes.

As I say, we are very hopeful of change, we are very hopeful of a return to a bipartisan position in climate in the lead-up to Paris, and I offer members opposite to come and join us, embrace science-based policy and embrace good decisions for the future of our state: come and join us and work with us.