SUBJECTS: Nationals' meeting on climate change; Morrison Government failures on climate change; IBAC hearings.

ANTHONY ALBANESE, LEADER OF THE AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY: After eight years and four hours, this Government is more a shambles than a Westminster cabinet-style government. It is extraordinary that you have cabinet ministers, including the Deputy Prime Minister, having a meeting for four hours about whether they'll support a decision that was made in the Cabinet last week. You had the Prime Minister not even in the room when decisions are being made. And you have a Government and indeed a nation being hostage to a few people in the National Party. We all know that it is in Australia's economic interest to have action on climate change, including net zero by 2050 and a pathway to get there. If it's good for the economy now, the question for the Government as well is what is the cost of their eight years of inaction and putting politics before the national interest been? Eight years of prevarication. Eight years of policy announcements that are never delivered, more than 20 occasions that has occurred. And I was here in the lead up to the 2007 election. For a while there I was responsible for Labor's environment and climate change policy. And in the lead up, John Howard, at the last minute, decided that he did support ratifying the Kyoto Protocol after all. He did support an emissions trading scheme after all. And then of course, after the election, that all changed. This will be an issue of trust. I have no doubt that the Government will land net zero by 2050. And some of you might even write that wasn't Scott Morrison clever to drag the Coalition to this position. But unless it's legislated it doesn't, it can't be taken seriously. We need a net zero by 2050 target that is legislated. We also need interim targets that show the pathway to get there. The fact is that after almost a decade of inaction, we've lost jobs, we've lost economic activity, particularly in the regions. Scott Morrison never leads. On bushfires he said, "I don't hold a hose, mate." On supply of vaccines he said "it's not a race." And on this issue, he's contracted it out to Barnaby Joyce of all people. And when Scott Morrison attends the Glasgow climate conference, Barnaby Joyce will be in charge of the country. Barnaby Joyce, who has said in that, in that crazy press conference, in the paddock with the cows looking up at the sky, saying that he wants government to get out of his life, just before he decided to roll Michael McCormack and become again the Deputy Prime Minister of the country. This issue is serious. This is an issue about this generation, but also about future generations. It's about not just our environment, it's about our economy and jobs. And that's why it will take a Labor Government to take serious action on climate change to bring Australia in from the cold. This is a Government that's frozen in time while the world warms around it. It is a Government that isn't capable of actually governing. And they've shown that again in the last 24 hours.

CHRIS BOWEN, SHADOW MINISTER FOR CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENERGY: Thanks Anthony. Australia today does not have a climate change policy. Under Scott Morrison, after eight years in office, after 493 weeks in office, after 70,000 hours in office, Scott Morrison wants more time. After 21 energy policies, we're meant to believe that the 22nd one will be the good one. Scott Morrison is showing he is not up to the job of leading our country. As Anthony said, the Government now accepts after eight years that there's economic benefit from acting on climate change. If that's the case, then there is eight years of cost, of missed opportunities, of wasted time. Australia deserves better than this and it deserves better than this today. We are weeks, a fortnight from the most important climate change conference we've seen in a long time. And Australia has a vacuum, not a policy. And we heard Barnaby Joyce again this morning, playing that identity politics, pitting Australians against each other, dividing rural Australians from city Australians. Governments should be bringing people together, not dividing people. And the fact is that people in rural and regional Australia are paying the price for climate change. Droughts, natural disasters, falling farm productivity, falling farm profits. And it's rural and regional Australia which can benefit from the transition to renewables, to a more renewable economy. The areas that have powered Australia for so long will be the same areas that power us into the future. We saw the ACTU BCA report just last week showing how many jobs will be created across Australia, particularly in rural and regional Australia through clean energy exports, but only if we take the opportunity that is there. Scott Morrison and his Government are not up to that opportunity. And I say this, every day of inaction is a day of betrayal. Where the National Party is portraying rural and regional Australia, the very people who predominantly had their livelihoods on the line with ongoing unchecked climate change and the very people who can benefit from the right policies that only an Albanese Labor Government will provide. Anthony's 100% right, the path is clear. Scott Morrison, of course, must commit to net zero by 2050. He must commit to legislate it. And he must outline a better medium-term target as well. Because what counts is how far we reduce emissions between now and 2050, particularly over the next decade, particularly as we've had eight years of wasted opportunities. And today, we have ongoing betrayal of rural and regional Australia.

JOURNALIST: Mr Albanese, when Labor proposed a 45 percent target at last election that was quite [inaudible]. Given where other nations like the US and Japan have gone and Canada with medium-term targets, is 45 percent now back in play for 2030? Or do you think that by 2022, it doesn't leave us enough time to get there?

ALBANESE: Well, we of course regret the fact that there hasn't been any action, any serious action when it comes to addressing targets at all, and meeting the emissions reductions that are required. If you look at the two things that have driven down emissions they're the renewable energy target of 20% by 2020, a policy that Labor adopted in 2006, that was resisted totally by the Coalition, both in the lead up to the 2007 election and then beyond. And the other issue, of course, is land clearing that are decisions made by state governments, some of which Coalition governments have tried to reverse, such as the Newman Government in Queensland. So we take these issues very seriously. We outlined our policies at the last election and we weren't successful. So as I said with all of them, that means you start again, and you have policies going forward. In 2022, obviously, in 2022, it's different.

JOURNALIST: Is 45 percent back on the table or do you still think it is not enough time?

ALBANESE: No, look, we'll announce our progress towards net zero by 2050 after the Glasgow conference. I said that early on, there hasn't been any change of positions from us. I made it clear where we wanted to go, and we'll make that assessment. One of the things I said was that this year there'd be two big events. One that occurred at the end of last year, but he wasn't sworn in, of course, is that the change in US administration. That's led to a change in US leadership in the world. That's changed the debate. And we all know that that's occurred. The other big event, of course, is Glasgow. If I was going to Glasgow as the Leader of Australia, I would have had, very clearly, a long time ago a clear position worked out for Australia going forward. We wouldn't have had 21 policies, we'll have one. And when it's announced you'll all know it. In the meantime, we've had a range of policies announced, including cheaper electric vehicles, including community batteries, including apprenticeships for renewable energy projects, including the Rewiring the Nation program, a $20 billion dollar program to fix transmission so that renewables can fit into the grid.

JOURNALIST: Are there any climate policy settings that you will rule out Labor either adopting or supporting in your own platform or for example if the Government makes carbon capture a feature of their plan? Is that something you rule out supporting?

ALBANESE: Look, we'll examine anything that's put forward. But this is a Government that abolished the fund that was in there when they came to office for carbon capture and storage. 

JOURNALIST: Mr Albanese, what message does it send to the international community if Scott Morrison isn't able to reach a deal with the Nationals? [inaudible]

ALBANESE: Well, the international community already regard Australia as pariahs. That's why Scott Morrison didn't get an invite to the conference that was convened by Boris Johnson. Not convened by the British Labour Prime Minister, a conference convened by the British Conservative Prime Minister. And when President Biden convened a meeting earlier this year, Australia got to speak sometime after Bhutan, we were way back in the mid 20s of countries. We're a serious nation. We're one of the highest emitters per capita in the world and the last time there was an international conference and Angus Taylor went, he was there in the naughty corner with Saudi Arabia. The rest of the world looks on Australia and the debate that's going on and shakes their head. They did that before. I went to two, I've been to two COPs. I went to Montreal and I went to Nairobi. And at both of those COPs where Australia was refusing to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, the debate in Australia was so far behind the rest of the world that it was embarrassing. And it stands in stark contrast to conservative leaders like Boris Johnson, Angela Merkel and others around the world. Margaret Thatcher was way ahead, way ahead, as the British Prime Minister, someone who understood the science in calling for action. This shouldn't be ideological. It is in Australia, and it's embarrassing that it is.

JOURNALIST: What about a projection for 2030 as opposed to a target? Is that somthing that Labor would consider supporting or does 2030 have to be a target?

ALBANESE: Well, what does projection mean? You know, why not a vibe? Seriously. This is a Government, you know, let's have a vibe of feeling, feeling good. It's just absurd. This is a Government that have been in office, near the end of their third term. They're shooting for more than a decade in office, for more than John Howard. They've been through, how many energy ministers? Nine I think it's up to. It’s a lot, a lot. And, you know, you've got Angus Taylor there, you know, with policy after policy adopted. 21 policies, and they're going to come up with a vibe. They won't be taken seriously.

JOURNALIST: Could pricing emissions, including through a stronger safeguard mechanism form part of Labor's policy at the next election, or would you rule that out?

ALBANESE: Well, the Government has a safeguard mechanism. That's the Government's policy that they have. I've said very clearly, the reason why there's a change in policy, and I ruled this out on the 7.30 Report a long time ago, in an interview with Leigh. You don't need a price on carbon because you need, you needed a price on carbon when renewables weren't the cheapest form of new energy. At the moment, there is nothing to stop anyone building, there's no ban on anything, except for nuclear. There's no ban on building any particular power station in Australia. What is happening is that the market is speaking. And that's why you don't need to change the market by altering price, because price is heading for renewables.

JOURNALIST: You've had a long time to think about this as well. On 2030, could you commit to a target beyond 45 percent [inaudible]? 

ALBANESE: You'll see it after Glasgow. We have had a long time, but we're being consistent. I said, at multiple press conferences. I said at multiple press conferences, what we would do, I haven't changed it. I don't change from day to day. We have a consistent policy. Climate change is real. Climate change action's good for jobs, climate change action's good for reducing energy prices. Climate change action will make our manufacturing sector more competitive.

JOURNALIST: Is net zero, for you, an ambition or a plan? And if it's a plan, what modeling is it based on?

ALBANESE: Net zero will be a legislated, a legislated target. We want legislation which is...

JOURNALIST: Have you seen any modeling yet? 

ALBANESE: We want legislation which is there. 

JOURNALIST: Have you seen any modeling yet?

ALBANESE: I've answered the question. 

JOURNALIST: So that's a no, you haven't seen any modeling. Is there any modeling that you've seen as to what that means for the economy?

ALBANESE: Yeah, go have a look at the BCA modeling, for example. There's modeling out there from CSIRO, from BCA, from a range of organisations. Everyone who examines this says, and the Government themselves say, that net zero by 2050 will be better for our economy than if you don't have that target.

JOURNALIST: Can you explain why Adem Somyurek was immediately expelled from the Party but Anthony Byrne wasn't, given that he has admitted to branch stacking?

ALBANESE: Well, Adem Somyurek made claims that were broadcast on the 60 Minutes program, speaking not, speaking about taking over the entire Victorian Branch. This wasn't about any particular seat, or this was a comprehensive examination. I took action immediately. We suspended the operation of the Victorian Branch. We appointed Jenny Macklin and Steve Bracks to have a full review into the Victorian Branch. The Victorian Branch remained suspended from operations like conferences and holding preselections. We did a full audit of the Victorian Branch through Deloitte that excluded people who couldn't prove that they'd been signed up as legitimate members. We've been about ensuring that the Victorian Branch is cleaned up.

JOURNALIST: Have you asked Anthony Byrne to reconsider his political future ahead of the next election?

ALBANESE: Well, look these processes will play out. Anthony Byrne has been referred to the Department of Finance to examine his evidence, just like the Kevin Andrews and Michael Sukkar were consistent with that.

JOURNALIST: So, you just set a new standard there though, didn't you? You said that Somyurek had tried to take over the state branches, so that's out of order. But if you just stack in your own branch, that's ok?

ALBANESE: No, no, I didn't do that at all. Kevin Andrews and Michael Sukkar, there's been a range of people involved. The IBAC is going through its processes now and it will come out with recommendations. The Department of Finance will examine in a similar way to which they examined Michael Sukkar and Kevin Andrews. I've asked them to do that, written to the Secretary of the Department. 

JOURNALIST: Given IBAC won't actually hand down any findings until after the next election. Will Anthony Byrne still be Labor's candidate for Holt when you go to the polls?

ALBANESE: Well, we'll deal with those matters at an appropriate time. But IBAC at the moment is still having hearings. The hearings are underway. I do note that there are other hearings underway today into Gladys Berejiklian and her activity before the ICAC. The evidence occurred, including some that was played this morning for Gladys Berejiklian a year ago. For a year she remained as Premier.

JOURNALIST: Sorry, just on that what would be an appropriate time then? Is it when the public hearings have ended but before any findings come down?

ALBANESE: Well, we'll wait until, you at least should hear the evidence that is before IBAC at the moment. The party will give consideration at an appropriate time to the matters once all of the evidence isn't in yet.

JOURNALIST: Will you ask him, though, to reconsider his future? Have you spoken to him and asked him to reconsider running?

ALBANESE: I spoke to Anthony Byrne. I spoke to him about the positions he holds in the Parliament and he's resigned from those positions. I spoke to him about whether he would refer himself to the Department of Finance. He had legal advice that that wasn't appropriate due to undertakings that he'd given to IBAC and therefore I referred Mr Byrne.

JOURNALIST: Did Anthony Byrne's whistleblowing give yourself and the Deputy Leader more authority and power within Victoria and diminish Bill Shorten's standing in that state? Is that what this is about?

ALBANESE: This is about cleaning up the Victorian Branch of the Labor Party and a comprehensive cleanup that has occurred under my leadership. Just like I intervened into the New South Wales Branch of the Labor Party as well and restructured it after an appropriate review was undertaken. Just like I expelled John Setka from the Labor Party within weeks of my taking on the leadership. Wherever I've seen wrongdoing I've intervened.

JOURNALIST: Why are you waiting for review given that he's admitted that?

ALBANESE: IBAC processes are underway. If you don't see that while the court hearing is going on, and this is a quasi-judicial body, then I would have thought that was obvious. You don't have all of the information, people are still giving evidence related to Mr Byrne's evidence. That is occurring, that is occurring as we speak. 

JOURNALIST: Has he given you an indication previously, exactly what he knew about what was going on inside the Victorian Labor Party? 

ALBANESE: No. I found out about the revelations that were in the 60 Minutes program when I watched it. I found out what was in the 60 Minutes program when I watched it. This was not known. This was not known. It certainly wasn't known by me. I am not, I'll give you the big heads up, I'm not an expert on the branch membership in the Holt electorate.

JOURNALIST: No, but he did admit to the use of taxpayers funds for those staff. Do you admit at the very least, he should repay those funds to the Commonwealth?

ALBANESE: I've written to the Department of Finance.

JOURNALIST: But given you vowed to stamp out corruption wherever you see it, shouldn't he be disendorsed as the Member for Holt?

ALBANESE: I've written to the Department of Finance about that matter. That's what's appropriate. Thanks very much. 

ENDS