The climate change measure authored by Anthony Albanese has overcome its final hurdle following weeks of debate.
The measure will establish a greenhouse gas reduction target of 43% by 2030 and net-zero by 2050.
Despite appeals for more ambitious climate targets, Labor’s legislation was approved by the upper chamber on Thursday with the support of the Greens and key crossbenchers.
In the Senate, Senators David Pocock, Jacqui Lambie, and Tammy Tyrrell gained modifications, sending the bill back to the House of Representatives for approval.
Late Thursday afternoon, the House decided to approve the bill without any revisions; it now need just the signature of Governor General David Hurly to become law.
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Jenny McAllister, a Labor front-bencher, stated that the approval of the bill signified the end of a decade-long climate war.
Senator McAllister informed the chamber, “The best approach to reduce emissions is with policy clarity.”
The coalition opposed the proposal with its vote.
Senator Pocock, an independent, obtained many reforms, including stricter reporting requirements for the minister in charge.
A Greens proposal to increase the 2030 aim to “at least 75%” and exclude new coal and gas projects was also rejected.
“We do not have support for this amendment,” joked Greens senator Larissa Waters prior to the vote.
Senator Pocock also criticized the government for labeling its 43% emission reduction objective as aggressive, despite the fact that modeling revealed that state and territory plans would decrease Australia’s emissions by 42%.
“If one percent is ambitious, then Australians will have questions,” he added.
During the shift to renewables, however, Senator McAllister stated that fossil fuels would play “an crucial role in helping to power communities.”
A Nationals effort to have the Productivity Commission conduct periodic inquiries also failed, as did a One Nation amendment that questioned the link between humans and climate change.
On a climate change bill, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has achieved a huge victory.
Senator Matt Canavan of the Nationals opposed climate objectives and the shift to renewable energy in his speech.
He told the Senate that Europe’s ambitious emission reduction goals have contributed to power shortages.
Senator Canavan remarked, “It is unfathomable that a modern nation cannot ensure that its citizens would be able to stay warm months before winter begins.”
It is not an exaggeration to assert that, unless anything changes, people will die needlessly over the European winter as a result of these failing, ignorant climate change initiatives.
The law will then be sent back to the House of Representatives, where the revisions will be approved by acclamation, as Labor holds a majority there.
After then, the legislation will be signed into law.
In August, the lower house passed the original law proposed by the Albanese government.