Independent Senator David Pocock has almost confirmed he will break the government’s emissions reduction target.
The ACT senator said it was a “huge opportunity” to legislate the target of cutting emissions by 43 percent by 2030, but noted he would like the government to consider it a floor. not like a ceiling.
“I’ve been very open in saying I’d like to see a higher target, but my feeling is that what Australians really want is a target that needs to be legalized,” he told ABC’s Insiders.
He said he wanted Australia to achieve the goal “with integrity” and welcomed the recently announced overhaul of the nation’s carbon credit schedule.
Senator Pocock, who was arrested for chaining himself to mining equipment to protest a coal mine expansion, noted that communities that “have relied on fossil fuels for generations” need extra support in the transition.
“There’s a lot of work to be done in this space,” he said.
However, the former rugby union star has declined to confirm whether he would change his position if the 43 per cent left the door open for new coal mines to open.
Senator Pocock’s vote could be crucial for the government, which will have to rely on the Greens and a crossbench member to make legislation that the coalition opposes successful in the Senate.
The opposition has made it clear that it will not support the legislation of the Labor Goals.
Tasmanian firefighter Jacqui Lambie also indicated on Sunday that she would follow the government.
“For us it’s, what does it look like to bet 43 percent? Can we go a little faster? And if so, what impact will that have?” Senator Lambie told the Sunday Age.
“We want to get it right the first time, and if it means we can add a little bit more or we have to lose a little bit, then we have to look at that.”
Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen has previously said he would consider “sensible” amendments from the crossbench, but warned Labor it would be willing to give up the target if it lacks parliamentary support.
“We have also been clear that the legislation is not required and if Parliament does not want to pass it, we will just continue with the work as we have already started,” he recently told the National Press Club. Wednesday.
The government is expected to push back some further from the Greens, who have labeled the 2030 target as “weak”.
Earlier this month, Leader Adam Bandt denounced the government’s “take it or leave it” approach, but said he would approach the negotiations in “the spirit of good faith”.
“I think people have just rejected a hairy approach to government, and they don’t want these kinds of ultimatums put to parliament on a ‘take it or leave it’ basis,” he said.
The government expects to present its climate change agenda to parliament when it returns later this month.
Also high on Labour’s agenda is the pledge to establish a federal corruption watchdog.
Senator Pocock, who has campaigned extensively on integrity in federal politics, was asked if he would support a body that had the power to fire sitting MPs.
The question elicited a nervous laugh from the independent, before sketching that he would be concerned that an unelected body would gain such power.
“I’m not a lawyer, but I suspect there would be some constitutional hurdles with that lawyer,” he told ABC.
“But I can certainly look into it more.”
