Bill
Climate Change Bill 2022
passed, as at 2022-09-13. Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water portfolio.
- Sponsor
- Not recorded
- Portfolio
- Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Recorded stages
- introduced — 2022-07-27
- second reading — 2022-07-27
- second reading — 2022-08-03
- second reading — 2022-08-04
- committee — 2022-08-04
- third reading — 2022-08-04
- introduced — 2022-09-05
- second reading — 2022-09-05
- second reading — 2022-09-06
- second reading — 2022-09-07
- second reading — 2022-09-08
- committee — 2022-09-08
- third reading — 2022-09-08
- other — 2022-09-08
- other — 2022-09-08
- passed — 2022-09-08
- royal assent — 2022-09-13
Divisions
- Climate Change Bill 2022, Climate Change (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2022 - Second Reading - On new fossil fuel projects — 2022-08-04, House of Representatives: affirmative, ayes 123, noes 9
- Climate Change Bill 2022, Climate Change (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2022 - Second Reading - Agree with bills' main idea — 2022-08-04, House of Representatives: affirmative, ayes 87, noes 57
- The majority voted in favour of [amendments](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Hansard/Hansard_Display?bid=chamber/hansardr/25975/&sid=0000) moved by Kooyong MP [Monique Ryan](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/representatives/kooyong/monique_ryan) (Independent) on behalf of Curtin MP [Kate Chaney](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/representatives/curtin/kate_chaney) (Independent), which means they succeeded. ### What do the amendments do? Regarding the first amendment, Dr Ryan [explained that](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Hansard/Hansard_Display?bid=chamber/hansardr/25975/&sid=0000): > *This amendment clarifies the underlying climate goals of the bill, the urgency of action and a link to scientific knowledge. An acknowledgement of the object's clause of the urgency of action and a link to scientific knowledge should give business certainty that this is a new era in climate policy and that the Australian parliament has an intention to be guided by the science and to decarbonise our economy. The setting of a numerical target is the first step in this significant shift.* In relation to the second amendment, she [explained that](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Hansard/Hansard_Display?bid=chamber/hansardr/25975/&sid=0000) it "*promotes accountability and ambition to reflect that this is the start of a significant journey ahead.*" ### Amendment text > *(1) Clause 3, page 2 (before line 15), before paragraph (a), insert:* > >> *(aa) to advance an effective and progressive response to the urgent threat of climate change drawing on the best available scientific knowledge; and* > > *(2) Clause 3, page 2 (line 21), after "accountability", insert "and ambition".* — 2022-08-04, House of Representatives: affirmative, ayes 86, noes 58
- The majority voted in favour of an [amendment](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Hansard/Hansard_Display?bid=chamber/hansardr/25975/&sid=0000) introduced by Goldstein MP [Zoe Daniel](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/representatives/goldstein/zoe_daniel) (Independent), which means it passed and will now become part of the bill. Ms Daniel [explained that](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Hansard/Hansard_Display?bid=chamber/hansardr/25975/&sid=0000): > *I've moved this amendment because the science says that we should be hitting at least 50 per cent, preferably 60 per cent, by 2030 to help keep global temperatures below two degrees and as close as possible to 1.5 degrees.* ### Amendment text > *(1) Clause 10, page 5 (lines 17 and 18), omit the note, substitute:* > > *Note: The achievement of a target involves reducing Australia's net greenhouse gas emissions to a level that is at or below the target. Accordingly, nothing in subsection (1) limits Australia's ability to reduce its net greenhouse gas emissions beyond 43% below 2005 levels by 2030.* — 2022-08-04, House of Representatives: affirmative, ayes 87, noes 57
- Climate Change Bill 2022, Climate Change (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2022 - Consideration in Detail - Regional Australia — 2022-08-04, House of Representatives: affirmative, ayes 89, noes 57
- Climate Change Bill 2022, Climate Change (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2022 - Consideration in Detail - More ambitious targets needed — 2022-08-04, House of Representatives: affirmative, ayes 128, noes 8
- Climate Change Bill 2022, Climate Change (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2022 - Consideration in Detail - More ambitious targets — 2022-08-04, House of Representatives: affirmative, ayes 129, noes 7
- The majority voted in favour of an [amendment](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Hansard/Hansard_Display?bid=chamber/hansardr/25975/&sid=0000) introduced by Wentworth MP [Allegra Spender](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/representatives/wentworth/allegra_spender) (Independent), which means it passed and will now become part of the bill. ### What does this amendment do? Ms Spender [explained that](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Hansard/Hansard_Display?bid=chamber/hansardr/25975/&sid=0000): > *The bill, as drafted, would require the minister to make an annual statement to parliament about Australia's progress in reducing emissions, relevant international developments, the government's climate change policies and the effectiveness of the government's climate change policies.* > > *My first change would require that the statement consider, sector by sector, the impact of policies. It is important that Australians can see the progress being made by each sector of the economy and understand where climate policies are effective and where they are not.* [...] > > *My second change would require the statement to consider the effectiveness of the government's policies in general, rather than climate policy specifically. This is a subtle change but an important one. It will allow the minister, with advice from the Climate Change Authority, to consider the impact of the government's policies which may be making the emissions reduction task more difficult, such as fossil fuel subsidies. Transparency will help to inform the public debate and allow voters to take an informed view of the full cost of government policies.* ### Amendment text > *(1) Clause 12, page 7 (line 16) to page 7 (line 18), omit paragraph (1)(d), substitute:* > > *(d) the effectiveness of the Commonwealth's policies in contributing to the achievement of Australia's greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets and reducing emissions in the sectors covered by those policies.* ### An — 2022-08-04, House of Representatives: affirmative, ayes 90, noes 55
- Climate Change Bill 2022, Climate Change (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2022 - Consideration in Detail - Transparency — 2022-08-04, House of Representatives: affirmative, ayes 89, noes 57
- Climate Change Bill 2022, Climate Change (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2022 - Consideration in Detail - Act on Climate Change Authority advice — 2022-08-04, House of Representatives: affirmative, ayes 89, noes 57
- Climate Change Bill 2022, Climate Change (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2022 - Consideration in Detail - Article 2 of the Paris Agreement — 2022-08-04, House of Representatives: affirmative, ayes 88, noes 57
- Climate Change Bill 2022, Climate Change (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2022 - Consideration in Detail - Agree with the bills — 2022-08-04, House of Representatives: affirmative, ayes 89, noes 56
- The majority voted in favour of a [motion](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?id=2022-09-07.120.2) moved by Queensland Senator [Anthony Chisholm](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/senate/queensland/anthony_chisholm) (Labor), which means is succeeded. This motion will create additional sitting hours in which to consider the [Climate Change Bill 2022](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r6885), if possible. ### Motion text > *That if the [second reading](https://peo.gov.au/understand-our-parliament/how-parliament-works/bills-and-laws/making-a-law-in-the-australian-parliament/) debate for the Climate Change Bill 2022 and a related bill has not concluded by 7.20 pm on Wednesday, 7 September 2022:* > >> *(a) the hours of meeting be 9.30 am till adjournment;* >> >> *(b) the routine of business from 7.20 pm be consideration of the Climate Change Bill 2022 and a related bill—second reading speeches only;* >> >> *(c) the Senate adjourn without debate at the conclusion of the second reading debate or on the motion of a minister, whichever is the earlier; and* >> >> *(d) if a division is called for after 7.20 pm, the matter before the Senate be adjourned until the next day of sitting at a time fixed by the Senate.* — 2022-09-07, Senate: affirmative, ayes 33, noes 30
- Climate Change Bill 2022 - Consideration of Senate Message - Agree with Senate amendments — 2022-09-08, House of Representatives: affirmative, ayes 86, noes 51
- Climate Change Bill 2022, Climate Change (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2022 - Second Reading - Acknowledge need to end fossil fuels — 2022-09-08, Senate: negative, ayes 13, noes 40
- The majority voted against an [amendment](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?id=2022-09-08.10.2) to the usual second reading motion, "*that the bills be read a second time.*" To read a bill a [second time](https://peo.gov.au/understand-our-parliament/how-parliament-works/bills-and-laws/making-a-law-in-the-australian-parliament/) is to agree with its main idea. Because this vote failed, the original motion will remain unchanged. This amendment as introduced by Queensland Senator [Malcolm Roberts](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/senate/queensland/malcolm_roberts) (One Nation). ### Motion text > *At the end of the motion, add ", but the Senate:* > > *(a) notes that:* > >> *(i) increased carbon dioxide is associated with increased quality of life for humans, plants and animals and reducing carbon dioxide will do harm to everyday Australians,* >> >> *(ii) the relationship between carbon dioxide output from human activity and temperature change has been disproven by scientific analysis and empirical observation,* >> >> *(iii) there is no mechanism to calculate temperature outcomes from reductions in human carbon dioxide output thus negating the reason for this bill, and* >> >> *(iv) this bill does not require consideration of the economic, social or health outcomes from policies that will be implemented under this legislation; and* > > *(b) calls on the Government to address the preceding matters in future legislation or policy".* — 2022-09-08, Senate: negative, ayes 3, noes 45
- Climate Change Bill 2022, Climate Change (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2022 - Second Reading - Agree with bills' main idea — 2022-09-08, Senate: affirmative, ayes 36, noes 30
- Climate Change Bill 2022, Climate Change (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2022 - in Committee - 2030 and 2035 targets — 2022-09-08, Senate: negative, ayes 13, noes 41
- Climate Change Bill 2022, Climate Change (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2022 - in Committee - Transparecy and ARENA loopholes — 2022-09-08, Senate: affirmative, ayes 37, noes 26
- The majority voted against [amendments](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?gid=2022-09-08.73.1) introduced by ACT Senator [David Pocock](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/senate/act/david_pocock) (Independent), which means they failed. ### What is the amendment? Senator Pocock [explained that](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?gid=2022-09-08.67.6) the amendment relates to ARENA: > *The first amendment requires that the annual climate change statement address Australia's progress in reducing scope 3 emissions, which we know dwarf our domestic emissions. Fossil fuel exports account for more than double our direct emissions. If we are to take climate change seriously and commit to climate action we have to reduce the source of the majority of our emissions, which is exports. I'm not saying we shut it down overnight; I'm simply saying we don't open up new projects.* > > *The second amendment requires that the Climate Change Authority consider the best available scientific knowledge in advice on emission reduction targets. We have ignored scientists for far too long. Science has to guide our policies on climate, and it makes sense to me that any advice given to the minister would be based on the best available scientific evidence that we have, given the wealth of knowledge in the scientific community, including a number of pre-eminent climate scientists across Australia and in the ACT.* ### Amendment text > *(1) Clause 12, page 7 (line 24), at the end of subclause (1), add:* > >> *; and (g) the progress made during the year towards reducing Australia's scope 3 emissions of greenhouse gas.* > > *(2) Clause 15, page 11 (after line 2), after subclause (3A), insert:* > >> *(3B) The advice given under subsection (1) must include an explanation of how the Climate Change Authority has taken into account the best available scientific knowledge for the purposes of giving the advice.* — 2022-09-08, Senate: negative, ayes 15, noes 47
- The majority voted against an [amendment](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?gid=2022-09-08.75.1) introduced by Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party, which means it failed. ### Amendment text > *(1) Clause 12, page 7 (after line 24), after subclause (1), insert:* > > *(1A) A statement under subsection (1) must include:* > >> *(a) the total amount of Australia's greenhouse gas emissions for the financial year to which the statement relates; and* >> >> *(b) a cost benefit analysis of each of the Commonwealth's policies mentioned in the statement, including:* >> >>> *(i) the amount by which the policy reduces anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions; and* >>> >>> *(ii) a regulatory impact statement for the policy which includes an outline of each of the matters mentioned in subsection (1B).* > > *(1B) For the purposes of subparagraph (1A)(b)(ii), the matters are the following:* > >> *(a) the impact, if any, on the Commonwealth budget of that policy in the year to which the statement relates;* >> >> *(b) the estimated impact, if any, on the Commonwealth budget of that policy in the following 3 financial years;* >> >> *(c) the impact, if any, on Australia's gross domestic product that can be specifically attributed to that policy;* >> >> *(d) the policy's compatibility with human rights (within the meaning of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011).* — 2022-09-08, Senate: negative, ayes 5, noes 51
- The majority voted against an [amendment](https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id:legislation/billhome/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Famend%2Fr6885_amend_e4287260-0146-4e92-b053-9df59e3e2df5%22;rec=0) introduced by Victorian Senator [Bridget McKenzie](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/senate/victoria/bridget_mckenzie) (Nationals), which means it failed. The amendment would have required that: "*The Productivity Commission is to conduct periodic inquiries of the impacts of Australia’s nationally determined contribution on rural and regional Australia.*" — 2022-09-08, Senate: negative, ayes 30, noes 33
- The majority voted against an [amendment](https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id:legislation/billhome/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Famend%2Fr6886_amend_3f0d8363-9380-4fe1-a6bd-73a07cd54488%22;rec=0) introduced by the Jacqui Lambie Network and ACT Senator [David Pocock](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/senate/act/david_pocock) (Independent), which means it failed. The amendment related to a greenhouse gas emissions outlook report. ### Amendment text > *(1) Schedule 1, page 8 (after line 31), after item 15, insert:* > > *Charter of Budget Honesty Act 1998* > > *15A After Division 1 of Part 5 of Schedule 1* > > *Insert:* > > *Division 1A—Greenhouse gas emissions outlook report* > > *13A Public release and tabling of greenhouse gas emissions outlook report* > >> *The Treasurer is to publicly release and table a greenhouse gas emissions outlook report at the time of each budget.* > > *13B Purpose of greenhouse gas emissions outlook report* > >> *The purpose of greenhouse gas emissions outlook reports is to provide information to allow the assessment of the impact of the Government’s fiscal strategy against Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets in section 10 of the Climate Change Act 2022.* > > *13C Contents of greenhouse gas emissions outlook report* > >> *(1) A greenhouse gas emissions outlook report is to contain the following information:* >> >>> *(a) the greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption of the Commonwealth budget sector and Commonwealth general government sector for the budget year and the following 3 financial years;* >>> >>> *(b) the greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption of fiscal policy actions for the budget year and the following 3 financial years;* >>> >>> *(c) the assumptions for the budget year and the following 3 financial years that have been used in preparing the report.* >> >> *(2) The information in the report is to take into account, to the fullest extent possible, — 2022-09-08, Senate: negative, ayes 17, noes 40
- Climate Change Bill 2022, Climate Change (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2022 - Third Reading - Pass the bills — 2022-09-08, Senate: affirmative, ayes 37, noes 30
Plain-language summary
Written by a model from the explanatory memorandum; not the record, as at 2022-07-27.
The Climate Change Bill 2022 would write Australia's emissions reduction targets into domestic law.
It would require the minister to give an annual statement to Parliament on progress towards the targets and oblige the Climate Change Authority to provide advice on new or updated targets at least every five years.
The first independent review of the bill's operation must occur within five years, with subsequent reviews every ten years.
- Sets emissions reduction targets in domestic legislation.
- Requires an annual climate change statement to Parliament by the minister.
- Mandates the Climate Change Authority to advise on targets every five years.
- Requires the minister to explain in writing and table reasons if not accepting the authority's advice.
- Provides for periodic independent reviews every ten years after the first within five years.
The Australian community, Parliament, the minister, the Climate Change Authority, and government agencies delivering programs contributing to emissions reduction.
Sources
em revised
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billhome
frl act