Independent MP Zali Steggall has relaunched her Climate Change Bill campaign with the support of fellow female crossbench MPs Rebekha Sharkie and Helen Haines.
The climate change legislation has been updated during the COVID-19 pandemic period, following new consultation with business groups, environmental organisations, law experts and other federal MPs.
It also adopts the government’s Technology Investment Roadmap, taking into consideration the identification of developing low emissions technology.
The Climate Change Bill provides a national, long-term framework for climate change mitigation and adaption, and would align federal policy with state government and the private sector’s commitment to net zero emissions by 2050.
The relaunch of the bill comes as the federal government focuses on a gas-led economic recovery from COVID-19.
“The Climate Change Act gives us the opportunity to rebuild from the COVID-19 crisis in a sustainable way, future proofing our jobs and economy,” Steggall said this week.
“We are seeing UK, Germany and major energy corporations including Woodside, BHP, AGL and BP committing to net zero by 2050. It’s time for the Morrison government to step up and join these leaders.
“Unfortunately, since the pandemic engulfed our country the federal government has instead focussed on a gas-led recovery that will see Australia left behind.”
Rebekha Sharkie, who will second the bill in parliament said she hopes the climate framework will “break through partisan politics”.
Steggall’s climate bill is supported by major players across the private sector, including the Australian Business Council, Atlassian, the Climate Council, Australian Energy Council and WWF Australia.
It has also been endorsed by notable individuals including Christiana Figuerres, the former UN climate chief who oversaw the Paris Agreement, economist Professor Ross Garnaut, Atlassian’s Mike Cannon-Brookes, and US scientist Dr Michael Mann.