E&OE TRANSCRIPT
DOORSTOP
PARLIAMENT HOUSE, CANBERRA
MONDAY, 2 DECEMBER 2019 

SUBJECTS: Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS), Medevac  

 
JENNY MCALLISTER, SHADOW CABINET SECRETARY: This week represents a decade since the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme was voted down in the Senate and we find ourselves in a situation where emissions are still going up, power prices are going up and the promise of the CPRS which was lower emission and better jobs for Australians and lower costs of power prices has not been delivered.

It is interesting to reflect on the parties that were involved in that particular defeat of that legislation, because what have they learnt? Well if you listen to Malcolm Turnbull, very little. Malcolm Turnbull was out telling his colleagues this weekend that Liberals need to stand up for their values on climate change, if they want action, they shouldn’t follow the instruction of Prime Minister Scott Morrison, they shouldn’t be quiet Australians. They should be loud Australians, out there calling for action on climate change consistent with the desires of the vast majority of Australians.

But what have the Greens learnt? Again, very little judged on their comments over the weekend and their behaviour at the last election. The Greens have adopted a political strategy which relies on them pealing votes away from the Labor party. What was apparent ten years ago and what was apparent at the most recent election, is that the Liberals the Greens would prefer to keep issues hot and unresolved for electoral advantage; to differentiate themselves from the Labor party rather than gain real outcomes.

Progressive voters who put their confidence in the Greens political party are right to ask the question – what do we get from all of this? Because we get a stronger vote for the Greens, because their vote has gone up a little bit over time but we don’t get any serious action on climate change. And the Greens party really need to make a decision. Do they want an outcome on environmental issues that they claim to care about so much, or do they continue on their current path? Attacking the Labor party, shouting at Australians that don’t agree with them - because the consequence of that strategy is continuation of the last ten years and Australians can’t afford for that to happen.

JOURNALIST:  (Inaudible)

MCALLISTER: Labor has had a very public conversation about the lessons we needed to learn about the period when we were last in government. But unfortunately, that can’t be said of the Greens political party. In fact I am yet to see where a member of the Greens party reflects honestly and carefully about their roles in carbon pricing, or their role in any other question where progress has been stalled on the issue they claim to care about.

JOURNALIST: (Inaudible)

MCALLISTER: Jacqui Lambie’s decision is a decision for her and you might have to direct questions about that to Jacqui. Our position is very clear. Medevac represents a set of laws that allow sick people to get treatment. There are more than enough opportunities for Mr Dutton to refuse transfer on the ground of national security or serious criminality. This is a system that is working, if the government thinks they know more, they know better than the doctors of Australia, well they’re wrong. We won’t be supporting the repeal of this legislation.

ENDS

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