Climate Change

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (15:15): Supplementary: noting the Treasurer's reply and his reference to this being so integral to the Marshall government, can he explain why in the budget overview of all three highlights, the Treasurer's speech and the budget paper, the three priorities, etc., and Budget Paper 5, there is no reference to climate change? What is he going on about?

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (15:15): Because it is so inbred, because it is so much part of our DNA—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: —we don't have to parrot on every occasion how important it is. We just accept that it's important. We get on with the business of actually implementing the policies, which are consistent with our fervent belief that climate change is critical to our state and our nation and our world's future. We sing almost from the same hymn sheet—

The Hon. C.M. Scriven: Even your own backbench are laughing.

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: —I say advisedly—almost the same hymn sheet as the honourable member in relation to this issue.

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: We are laughing at you on the other side.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Ridgway is out of order!

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS: As I said, 'almost' is my slight caveat, just in case the honourable member seeks to encapsulate me in some of his wilder ideas in relation to environmental reform. But sensible environmental reform, based on a recognition, nevertheless, a shared recognition with the honourable member and the Greens that climate change is a critical issue to the state and the nation. We don't have to say it every day of the week; we get on with practical actions. We implement the policies consistent with that innate belief that we have that this is an important issue.