Senator STERLE (2:33 PM) —My question is to the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Carr. Can the minister inform the Senate of what the government’s approach to climate change means for industry? What role do research and innovation play in the government’s approach? How is the government addressing the challenge of climate change while keeping our economy strong?

Senator CARR (Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) —I thank Senator Sterle for this very important question. You cannot tackle climate change by sticking to business as usual. You cannot tackle climate change by planting a couple of trees. You can only tackle climate change by transforming the economy, by creating a market based framework that will encourage people to find new and better ways of doing things.

Opposition senators interjecting—

The PRESIDENT —Order! Senator Carr, resume your seat. When we have silence, we will proceed. It is as simple as that.

Senator CARR —The government is developing strategic partnerships with industry to achieve the necessary transformation to secure a response to climate change. We are giving industry meaningful incentives to retool and make their operations greener and more sustainable. The Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme is dramatically accelerating that process. We are investing in science and research to give us the data we need to understand climate change and the technologies that we will need to combat it. We are supporting the efforts of Australian innovators to develop and commercialise low carbon products and services. We are taking a high-tech path to a low carbon future by promoting innovation, attracting new investment, building infrastructure—

Senator Ian Macdonald —Kim, this is so bad that Penny has had to leave!

The PRESIDENT —Senator Carr, resume you seat. Senator Macdonald, constant interjecting is disorderly; you know that.

Senator CARR —We are attracting new investments. We are building new infrastructure. We are reinventing existing industries and we are developing new ones. Our emphasis is on innovation because it is only by changing the way we do things that we can hope to meet the challenge of climate change. Innovation will give us the answers that we need. It will also make us more productive and more competitive. (Time expired)

Senator STERLE —Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. I thank the minister. Can the minister advise the Senate what action the government has taken to prepare Australian industry for the very different operating conditions which will prevail as the world moves to reduce carbon pollution? What further action does the government propose to take after the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme has been introduced?

Senator CARR (Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) —Innovation is the key to maintaining our living standards in a carbon constrained world. The opposition might have started thinking about climate change this week but the government has been acting on it for two years. In my portfolio, Clean Business Australia has already increased the energy and efficiency of existing businesses and it is stepping up Australian innovation to address climate change. A New Car Plan for a Greener Future has already secured new investments in local production for greener vehicle technologies. When the CPRS legislation is passed, we will roll out a further $1.97 billion climate change action fund to help industry, to help workers and to help communities to adjust to the demands of a carbon constrained world. The fund will support a new innovation in climate change program which will build on the success— (Time expired)

Senator STERLE —Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Can the minister explain to the Senate why the government has opted for an approach to climate change based on emissions trading through the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme? In what way is the approach superior to the possible alternatives?

Senator CARR (Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) —Emissions trading is the only way to bring about the fundamental transformation that this economy needs. Thirty-five countries have reached exactly the same conclusion and so did Mr Howard, Mr Costello and Mr Turnbull, but the temporary Leader of the Opposition, Mr Abbott, thinks he knows a lot better than that. He thinks that climate change is all ‘crap’. He says he will conduct the greatest challenge of our time by a giant con job. The opposition’s plan does less and costs more and it is taxpayers who will be footing the bill. It will do nothing to transform Australian industry, it will do nothing for the millions of Australians who depend on industry for their livelihood and it will do nothing to stimulate new technology. The choice is very clear. A Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme that will help us build a better future— (Time expired)