KENNEDY MP, Bob Katter, lamented over the missed opportunity for the Climate Change Bill to include measures to provide for Australian fuel and energy sovereignty and security whilst also reducing emissions.

“For a Parliament obsessed with the word ‘climate change’ it seems to have escaped everyone that the bill that passed through the lower house today does little if anything to actually provide any solutions.

“I’m no lily-pad leftie waving the banner for strong and immediate action, but it does strike me that for those that do, the bill contains little if any substance.”

Mr Katter raised the point that the House should instead be focusing on sovereign fuel and energy security, which it just so happens would have an immediate and profound effect of reducing carbon emissions.

“Let a thousand blossoms bloom! Whatever your opinion Australia needs to urgently address our reliance on fuel imports and foreign owned electricity companies.”

The solutions are clear and have been promoted by Mr Katter, with support from some of the crossbench, in the current and previous Parliament. We need:

• a ban on Australian oil exports and Australian companies refining our oil;
• Australian manufacturing of recyclables – converting waste to fuel and energy;
• Australian manufacturing of electric vehicles and agreed supply contracts for all government vehicles and buses in metropolitan areas;
• Australian manufacturing of renewables – converting sugar, algae, grains into fuel and energy. For example, just 10 ha of sugar can produce 10,000 litres of cheap renewable fuel and enough electricity to power a small town.

“We need, and are calling on government to provide, legislation with targets on the above that will address emissions and reduce sovereign risks.”

“We deserve a government that is thoughtful, strategic and will evoke change, not merely haggle for years over targets,” Mr Katter said.

“I remain hopeful that we have such a government.”

20220804 Climate Change bill is a missed opportunity to address fuel and energy security MR