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senate vote 2014-07-17#4
Edited by
system
on
2014-10-07 16:22:17
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Title
Description
The majority voted in favour of a [http://www.openaustralia.org/senate/?gid=2014-07-17.23.1 motion] "''that schedule 5 stand as printed''", which means that the schedule will remain unchanged. This motion was put in response to an [http://www.openaustralia.org/senate/?gid=2014-07-17.20.1 amendment] to oppose that schedule, which was introduced by Greens Senator [http://publicwhip-rails.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/mp.php?mpn=Christine_Milne&mpc=Senate&house=senate Christine Milne].Schedule 5 amends the funding for the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Renewable_Energy_Agency Australian Renewable Energy Agency] ('ARENA').(Read more about this schedule in the [http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Fems%2Fr5311_ems_144677a8-32fc-4fab-94b9-f5e90b54927f%22 explanatory memorandum].
) Senator Milne explained that "if the government's schedule stands, ARENA's funding would drop from just over a billion dollars down to $341 million".(Read Senator Milne's full explanation and the associated debate [http://www.openaustralia.org/senate/?id=2014-07-17.4.2 here], after 10.28 am.
)''Background to the bills''The [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5311 Clean Energy Legislation (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014] and related bills were introduced to repeal the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_pricing_in_Australia carbon pricing mechanism], which was introduced by the Australian Labor Party while in government. The Coalition described the mechanism as a “carbon tax” and removing it was a key policy platform during the 2013 election.(You can read more about the Coalition's policy to remove the carbon price [http://www.liberal.org.au/scrapping-carbon-tax-and-reducing-cost-living here].
)The carbon pricing mechanism commenced on 1 July 2012.(For more information on the carbon pricing mechanism and how it works, please see the Clean Energy Regulator’s [http://www.cleanenergyregulator.gov.au/Carbon-Pricing-Mechanism/About-the-Mechanism/Pages/default.aspx website].
) It is an emissions trading scheme that puts a price on carbon emissions. It applies to “liable entities” (a group that includes companies that emit a high level of greenhouse gases). Initially the price of carbon is fixed by the mechanism but from 1 July 2015 the price will be set by the market, though the Labor Government did announce plans to bring this forward to 1 July 2014 just before they were defeated by the Coalition in the 2013 election.This is the third time that this package of bills have been introduced. The first time, they were rejected in the Senate during the third reading stage.(See that division [http://publicwhip-test.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/division.php?date=2014-03-20&number=2&dmp=3&house=senate here].
) The second time, they were rejected in the Senate during the committee stage.(See that division [http://publicwhip-rails.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/division.php?date=2014-07-10&number=8&dmp=3&house=senate here]. Read more about this second rejection of this package of bills on ABC News [http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-10/senate-rejects-carbon-tax-repeal/5586248 here] or on the World Today [http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2014/s4043242.htm here].)The bills included in this package are the following:* [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5311 Clean Energy Legislation (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014]* [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5317 True-up Shortfall Levy (General) (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014]* [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5316 True-up Shortfall Levy (Excise) (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014]* [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5310 Customs Tariff Amendment (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014]* [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5312 Excise Tariff Amendment (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014]* [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5315 Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Import Levy) Amendment (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014]* [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5313 Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Manufacture Levy) Amendment (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014]* [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5314 Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Import Levy) (Transitional Provisions) Bill 2014]- The majority voted in favour of a [motion](http://www.openaustralia.org/senate/?gid=2014-07-17.23.1) "_that schedule 5 stand as printed_", which means that the schedule will remain unchanged. This motion was put in response to an [amendment](http://www.openaustralia.org/senate/?gid=2014-07-17.20.1) to oppose that schedule, which was introduced by Greens Senator [Christine Milne](http://publicwhip-rails.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/mp.php?mpn=Christine_Milne&mpc=Senate&house=senate).
- Schedule 5 amends the funding for the [Australian Renewable Energy Agency](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Renewable_Energy_Agency) ('ARENA').(Read more about this schedule in the [explanatory memorandum](http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Fems%2Fr5311_ems_144677a8-32fc-4fab-94b9-f5e90b54927f%22). ) Senator Milne explained that "if the government's schedule stands, ARENA's funding would drop from just over a billion dollars down to $341 million".(Read Senator Milne's full explanation and the associated debate [here](http://www.openaustralia.org/senate/?id=2014-07-17.4.2), after 10.28 am. )
- _Background to the bills_
- The [Clean Energy Legislation (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014](http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5311) and related bills were introduced to repeal the [carbon pricing mechanism](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_pricing_in_Australia), which was introduced by the Australian Labor Party while in government. The Coalition described the mechanism as a “carbon tax” and removing it was a key policy platform during the 2013 election.(You can read more about the Coalition's policy to remove the carbon price [here](http://www.liberal.org.au/scrapping-carbon-tax-and-reducing-cost-living). )
- The carbon pricing mechanism commenced on 1 July 2012.(For more information on the carbon pricing mechanism and how it works, please see the Clean Energy Regulator’s [website](http://www.cleanenergyregulator.gov.au/Carbon-Pricing-Mechanism/About-the-Mechanism/Pages/default.aspx). ) It is an emissions trading scheme that puts a price on carbon emissions. It applies to “liable entities” (a group that includes companies that emit a high level of greenhouse gases). Initially the price of carbon is fixed by the mechanism but from 1 July 2015 the price will be set by the market, though the Labor Government did announce plans to bring this forward to 1 July 2014 just before they were defeated by the Coalition in the 2013 election.
- This is the third time that this package of bills have been introduced. The first time, they were rejected in the Senate during the third reading stage.(See that division [here](http://publicwhip-rails.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/division.php?date=2014-03-20&number=2&dmp=3&house=senate). ) The second time, they were rejected in the Senate during the committee stage.(See that division [here](http://publicwhip-rails.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/division.php?date=2014-07-10&number=8&dmp=3&house=senate). Read more about this second rejection of this package of bills on ABC News [here](http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-10/senate-rejects-carbon-tax-repeal/5586248) or on the World Today [here](http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2014/s4043242.htm).)
- The bills included in this package are the following:
- - [Clean Energy Legislation (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014](http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5311)
- - [True-up Shortfall Levy (General) (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014](http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5317)
- - [True-up Shortfall Levy (Excise) (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014](http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5316)
- - [Customs Tariff Amendment (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014](http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5310)
- - [Excise Tariff Amendment (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014](http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5312)
- - [Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Import Levy) Amendment (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014](http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5315)
- - [Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Manufacture Levy) Amendment (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014](http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5313)
- - [Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Import Levy) (Transitional Provisions) Bill 2014](http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5314)
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senate vote 2014-07-17#4
Edited by
system
on
2014-10-07 16:17:01
|
Title
Description
- The majority voted in favour of a [http://www.openaustralia.org/senate/?gid=2014-07-17.23.1 motion] "''that schedule 5 stand as printed''", which means that the schedule will remain unchanged. This motion was put in response to an [http://www.openaustralia.org/senate/?gid=2014-07-17.20.1 amendment] to oppose that schedule, which was introduced by Greens Senator [http://publicwhip-rails.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/mp.php?mpn=Christine_Milne&mpc=Senate&house=senate Christine Milne].
Schedule 5 amends the funding for the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Renewable_Energy_Agency Australian Renewable Energy Agency] ('ARENA').[1] Senator Milne explained that "if the government's schedule stands, ARENA's funding would drop from just over a billion dollars down to $341 million".[2]- Schedule 5 amends the funding for the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Renewable_Energy_Agency Australian Renewable Energy Agency] ('ARENA').(Read more about this schedule in the [http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Fems%2Fr5311_ems_144677a8-32fc-4fab-94b9-f5e90b54927f%22 explanatory memorandum].
) Senator Milne explained that "if the government's schedule stands, ARENA's funding would drop from just over a billion dollars down to $341 million".(Read Senator Milne's full explanation and the associated debate [http://www.openaustralia.org/senate/?id=2014-07-17.4.2 here], after 10.28 am.
)
- ''Background to the bills''
The [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5311 Clean Energy Legislation (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014] and related bills were introduced to repeal the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_pricing_in_Australia carbon pricing mechanism], which was introduced by the Australian Labor Party while in government. The Coalition described the mechanism as a “carbon tax” and removing it was a key policy platform during the 2013 election.[3]- The [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5311 Clean Energy Legislation (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014] and related bills were introduced to repeal the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_pricing_in_Australia carbon pricing mechanism], which was introduced by the Australian Labor Party while in government. The Coalition described the mechanism as a “carbon tax” and removing it was a key policy platform during the 2013 election.(You can read more about the Coalition's policy to remove the carbon price [http://www.liberal.org.au/scrapping-carbon-tax-and-reducing-cost-living here].
)
The carbon pricing mechanism commenced on 1 July 2012.[4] It is an emissions trading scheme that puts a price on carbon emissions. It applies to “liable entities” (a group that includes companies that emit a high level of greenhouse gases). Initially the price of carbon is fixed by the mechanism but from 1 July 2015 the price will be set by the market, though the Labor Government did announce plans to bring this forward to 1 July 2014 just before they were defeated by the Coalition in the 2013 election.- The carbon pricing mechanism commenced on 1 July 2012.(For more information on the carbon pricing mechanism and how it works, please see the Clean Energy Regulator’s [http://www.cleanenergyregulator.gov.au/Carbon-Pricing-Mechanism/About-the-Mechanism/Pages/default.aspx website].
) It is an emissions trading scheme that puts a price on carbon emissions. It applies to “liable entities” (a group that includes companies that emit a high level of greenhouse gases). Initially the price of carbon is fixed by the mechanism but from 1 July 2015 the price will be set by the market, though the Labor Government did announce plans to bring this forward to 1 July 2014 just before they were defeated by the Coalition in the 2013 election.
This is the third time that this package of bills have been introduced. The first time, they were rejected in the Senate during the third reading stage.[5] The second time, they were rejected in the Senate during the committee stage.[6]- This is the third time that this package of bills have been introduced. The first time, they were rejected in the Senate during the third reading stage.(See that division [http://publicwhip-test.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/division.php?date=2014-03-20&number=2&dmp=3&house=senate here].
) The second time, they were rejected in the Senate during the committee stage.(See that division [http://publicwhip-rails.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/division.php?date=2014-07-10&number=8&dmp=3&house=senate here]. Read more about this second rejection of this package of bills on ABC News [http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-10/senate-rejects-carbon-tax-repeal/5586248 here] or on the World Today [http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2014/s4043242.htm here].)
- The bills included in this package are the following:
- * [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5311 Clean Energy Legislation (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014]
- * [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5317 True-up Shortfall Levy (General) (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014]
- * [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5316 True-up Shortfall Levy (Excise) (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014]
- * [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5310 Customs Tariff Amendment (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014]
- * [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5312 Excise Tariff Amendment (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014]
- * [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5315 Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Import Levy) Amendment (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014]
- * [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5313 Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Manufacture Levy) Amendment (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014]
- * [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5314 Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Import Levy) (Transitional Provisions) Bill 2014]
''References''* [1] Read more about this schedule in the [http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Fems%2Fr5311_ems_144677a8-32fc-4fab-94b9-f5e90b54927f%22 explanatory memorandum].* [2] Read Senator Milne's full explanation and the associated debate [http://www.openaustralia.org/senate/?id=2014-07-17.4.2 here], after 10.28 am.* [3] You can read more about the Coalition's policy to remove the carbon price [http://www.liberal.org.au/scrapping-carbon-tax-and-reducing-cost-living here].* [4] For more information on the carbon pricing mechanism and how it works, please see the Clean Energy Regulator’s [http://www.cleanenergyregulator.gov.au/Carbon-Pricing-Mechanism/About-the-Mechanism/Pages/default.aspx website].* [5] See that division [http://publicwhip-test.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/division.php?date=2014-03-20&number=2&dmp=3&house=senate here].* [6] See that division [http://publicwhip-rails.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/division.php?date=2014-07-10&number=8&dmp=3&house=senate here]. Read more about this second rejection of this package of bills on ABC News [http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-10/senate-rejects-carbon-tax-repeal/5586248 here] or on the World Today [http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2014/s4043242.htm here].
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senate vote 2014-07-17#4
Edited by
mackay staff
on
2014-07-23 14:05:21
|
Title
Clean Energy Legislation (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014 - In Committee - Funding to ARENA- Clean Energy Legislation (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014 — In Committee — Funding to ARENA
Description
- The majority voted in favour of a [http://www.openaustralia.org/senate/?gid=2014-07-17.23.1 motion] "''that schedule 5 stand as printed''", which means that the schedule will remain unchanged. This motion was put in response to an [http://www.openaustralia.org/senate/?gid=2014-07-17.20.1 amendment] to oppose that schedule, which was introduced by Greens Senator [http://publicwhip-rails.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/mp.php?mpn=Christine_Milne&mpc=Senate&house=senate Christine Milne].
- Schedule 5 amends the funding for the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Renewable_Energy_Agency Australian Renewable Energy Agency] ('ARENA').[1] Senator Milne explained that "if the government's schedule stands, ARENA's funding would drop from just over a billion dollars down to $341 million".[2]
- ''Background to the bills''
The [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5311 Clean Energy Legislation (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014] and related bills were introduced to repeal the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_pricing_in_Australia carbon pricing mechanism], which was introduced by the Australian Labor Party while in government. The Coalition described the mechanism as a “carbon tax” and removing it was a key policy platform during the 2013 election.[2]- The [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5311 Clean Energy Legislation (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014] and related bills were introduced to repeal the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_pricing_in_Australia carbon pricing mechanism], which was introduced by the Australian Labor Party while in government. The Coalition described the mechanism as a “carbon tax” and removing it was a key policy platform during the 2013 election.[3]
The carbon pricing mechanism commenced on 1 July 2012.[3] It is an emissions trading scheme that puts a price on carbon emissions. It applies to “liable entities” (a group that includes companies that emit a high level of greenhouse gases). Initially the price of carbon is fixed by the mechanism but from 1 July 2015 the price will be set by the market, though the Labor Government did announce plans to bring this forward to 1 July 2014 just before they were defeated by the Coalition in the 2013 election.- The carbon pricing mechanism commenced on 1 July 2012.[4] It is an emissions trading scheme that puts a price on carbon emissions. It applies to “liable entities” (a group that includes companies that emit a high level of greenhouse gases). Initially the price of carbon is fixed by the mechanism but from 1 July 2015 the price will be set by the market, though the Labor Government did announce plans to bring this forward to 1 July 2014 just before they were defeated by the Coalition in the 2013 election.
This is the third time that this package of bills have been introduced. The first time, they were rejected in the Senate during the third reading stage.[4] The second time, they were rejected in the Senate during the committee stage.[5]- This is the third time that this package of bills have been introduced. The first time, they were rejected in the Senate during the third reading stage.[5] The second time, they were rejected in the Senate during the committee stage.[6]
- The bills included in this package are the following:
- * [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5311 Clean Energy Legislation (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014]
- * [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5317 True-up Shortfall Levy (General) (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014]
- * [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5316 True-up Shortfall Levy (Excise) (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014]
- * [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5310 Customs Tariff Amendment (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014]
- * [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5312 Excise Tariff Amendment (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014]
- * [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5315 Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Import Levy) Amendment (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014]
- * [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5313 Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Manufacture Levy) Amendment (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014]
- * [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5314 Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Import Levy) (Transitional Provisions) Bill 2014]
- ''References''
- * [1] Read more about this schedule in the [http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Fems%2Fr5311_ems_144677a8-32fc-4fab-94b9-f5e90b54927f%22 explanatory memorandum].
- * [2] Read Senator Milne's full explanation and the associated debate [http://www.openaustralia.org/senate/?id=2014-07-17.4.2 here], after 10.28 am.
- * [3] You can read more about the Coalition's policy to remove the carbon price [http://www.liberal.org.au/scrapping-carbon-tax-and-reducing-cost-living here].
- * [4] For more information on the carbon pricing mechanism and how it works, please see the Clean Energy Regulator’s [http://www.cleanenergyregulator.gov.au/Carbon-Pricing-Mechanism/About-the-Mechanism/Pages/default.aspx website].
- * [5] See that division [http://publicwhip-test.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/division.php?date=2014-03-20&number=2&dmp=3&house=senate here].
- * [6] See that division [http://publicwhip-rails.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/division.php?date=2014-07-10&number=8&dmp=3&house=senate here]. Read more about this second rejection of this package of bills on ABC News [http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-10/senate-rejects-carbon-tax-repeal/5586248 here] or on the World Today [http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2014/s4043242.htm here].
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senate vote 2014-07-17#4
Edited by
mackay staff
on
2014-07-23 14:04:37
|
Title
Bills — Clean Energy Legislation (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014, True-Up Shortfall Levy (General) (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014, True-Up Shortfall Levy (Excise) (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014, Customs Tariff Amendment (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014, Excise Tariff Amendment (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014, Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Import Levy) Amendment (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014, Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Manufacture Levy) Amendment (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014, Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Import Levy) (Transitional Provisions) Bill 2014; in Committee- Clean Energy Legislation (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014 - In Committee - Funding to ARENA
Description
<p class="speaker">Lisa Singh</p><p>The opposition opposes schedule 5 in the following terms:</p><p class="italic">(7) Schedule 5, page 104 (line 1) to page 105 (line 4), to be opposed.</p>- The majority voted in favour of a [http://www.openaustralia.org/senate/?gid=2014-07-17.23.1 motion] "''that schedule 5 stand as printed''", which means that the schedule will remain unchanged. This motion was put in response to an [http://www.openaustralia.org/senate/?gid=2014-07-17.20.1 amendment] to oppose that schedule, which was introduced by Greens Senator [http://publicwhip-rails.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/mp.php?mpn=Christine_Milne&mpc=Senate&house=senate Christine Milne].
- Schedule 5 amends the funding for the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Renewable_Energy_Agency Australian Renewable Energy Agency] ('ARENA').[1] Senator Milne explained that "if the government's schedule stands, ARENA's funding would drop from just over a billion dollars down to $341 million".[2]
- ''Background to the bills''
- The [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5311 Clean Energy Legislation (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014] and related bills were introduced to repeal the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_pricing_in_Australia carbon pricing mechanism], which was introduced by the Australian Labor Party while in government. The Coalition described the mechanism as a “carbon tax” and removing it was a key policy platform during the 2013 election.[2]
- The carbon pricing mechanism commenced on 1 July 2012.[3] It is an emissions trading scheme that puts a price on carbon emissions. It applies to “liable entities” (a group that includes companies that emit a high level of greenhouse gases). Initially the price of carbon is fixed by the mechanism but from 1 July 2015 the price will be set by the market, though the Labor Government did announce plans to bring this forward to 1 July 2014 just before they were defeated by the Coalition in the 2013 election.
- This is the third time that this package of bills have been introduced. The first time, they were rejected in the Senate during the third reading stage.[4] The second time, they were rejected in the Senate during the committee stage.[5]
- The bills included in this package are the following:
- * [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5311 Clean Energy Legislation (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014]
- * [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5317 True-up Shortfall Levy (General) (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014]
- * [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5316 True-up Shortfall Levy (Excise) (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014]
- * [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5310 Customs Tariff Amendment (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014]
- * [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5312 Excise Tariff Amendment (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014]
- * [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5315 Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Import Levy) Amendment (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014]
- * [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5313 Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Manufacture Levy) Amendment (Carbon Tax Repeal) Bill 2014]
- * [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5314 Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Import Levy) (Transitional Provisions) Bill 2014]
- ''References''
- * [1] Read more about this schedule in the [http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Fems%2Fr5311_ems_144677a8-32fc-4fab-94b9-f5e90b54927f%22 explanatory memorandum].
- * [2] Read Senator Milne's full explanation and the associated debate [http://www.openaustralia.org/senate/?id=2014-07-17.4.2 here], after 10.28 am.
- * [3] You can read more about the Coalition's policy to remove the carbon price [http://www.liberal.org.au/scrapping-carbon-tax-and-reducing-cost-living here].
- * [4] For more information on the carbon pricing mechanism and how it works, please see the Clean Energy Regulator’s [http://www.cleanenergyregulator.gov.au/Carbon-Pricing-Mechanism/About-the-Mechanism/Pages/default.aspx website].
- * [5] See that division [http://publicwhip-test.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/division.php?date=2014-03-20&number=2&dmp=3&house=senate here].
- * [6] See that division [http://publicwhip-rails.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/division.php?date=2014-07-10&number=8&dmp=3&house=senate here]. Read more about this second rejection of this package of bills on ABC News [http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-10/senate-rejects-carbon-tax-repeal/5586248 here] or on the World Today [http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2014/s4043242.htm here].
<p>Schedule 5 absolutely cripples ARENA. It drops the amount of money available for this very valuable organisation to enable and encourage development in critical renewable energy projects. That value of projects funded to date, we know, has been unquestionable. Australia has all the raw ingredients and talent required to be a world leader in renewable energy development and commercialisation and yet this government is trying to rip the heart out of ARENA, cripple its funding, take Australia backwards, take a whole new investment in renewable energy backwards, which surely is an economic driver of innovation and prosperity for our nation. We do not support the government's schedule.</p> <p class="speaker">Christine Milne</p><p>The Greens oppose schedule 5 in the following terms:</p><p class="italic">(7) Schedule 5, page 104 (line 1) to page 105 (line 4), to be opposed.</p><p>I am moving the same amendment, because it is critically important that we keep the Australian Renewable Energy Agency. For the benefit of people thinking about this, we set up the Australian Renewable Energy Agency as part of the deliberations of the Clean Energy Package. At the time, renewable energy projects, grants, the Solar Flagships and so on were all across the government. It was a complete mess, and so we pulled together all of the renewable energy programs and we set up a new statutory authority, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, and it was linked to the Clean Energy Finance Corporation so that you had the whole spectrum from early research and development, pilot stage to the commercialisation of these projects.</p><p>It was a very good piece of architecture in terms of legislation. It meant that, as the Clean Energy Finance Corporation project started to make money, the profits would be cycled back through to ARENA to fund early research and development so it would become a self-sustaining system of money going back in. The government has a schedule to abolish the clean energy bills and to take a vast amount of money out of ARENA. As the government has proposed, over the next three years, if the government's schedule stands, ARENA's funding would drop from just over a billion dollars down to $341 million. In other words, if you vote for the bill as it stands, you are voting to take $717 million out of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency. What does that mean? It means ARENA will not be able to fund new projects. Effectively, what they do need is $150 million a year to keep the high-quality research and development moving. If you end up with only $89 million in 2014-15 and $59 million the following year, you end up with no new projects. ARENA has 152 projects in their pipeline worth $5.6 billion in investment that will just disappear. This is our reality.</p><p>We already have companies out today—for example, GE, a US multinational and one of Australia's largest foreign investors, saying its $3.5 billion pipeline of investment in green energy in this country is at risk because of possible changes to the RET. That is a separate issue, I agree. But it demonstrates how much interest there is in rolling out these technologies across the country. So it is a very bad mistake for the government to be taking $717 million out. I have heard some crossbench senators say that they want to save ARENA. You do not save a renewable energy agency by taking $717 million out of it over the next three years and leaving it with no ability to fund new projects.</p><p>Secondly, the ARENA board have all now had their positions ceased because their contracts have all run out and as of the 17th, I think it is, there are none of them with an ongoing contract. Yesterday in the Senate, as a result of the motion that I moved, the Senate asked the government to reappoint people to the ARENA board. If this motion is unsuccessful and they lose $717 million, and they have no board anymore—the secretary of the department is effectively heading ARENA, overseeing their existing projects—frankly, by the time the bill comes in later this year to save ARENA, it will be a shell of its former self. You either vote to keep ARENA as it is with the ability to fund the projects in its pipeline and you get people reappointed to the board, because it is an independent statutory authority, or you accept that if you are going to wrench this money out of it and let it lapse with no board, then effectively you are killing ARENA through the back door. That is what is going on here.</p><p>I urge the Senate: if you are serious about saving the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, and if you like the kinds of programs that it is supporting, then support my amendment. ARENA is supporting programs right around the country; there are fantastic projects. Out in communities people are excited by this investment in renewable energy and by the innovation and jobs that are coming with it. The point that I just make very seriously is that there is a funding schedule here to take the money out of ARENA. The Greens are standing firm saying do not take that $717 million out of it and please reappoint people to the board, as the Senate asked yesterday, so we are not left with a shell of a former organisation with the departmental secretary overseeing the projects for which the money has already been allocated and that is virtually it. So I urge the Senate: if you are serious about supporting and saving ARENA, it is not enough to leave it to three months down the track to vote against the abolition bill. The fact is that you will be voting for its abolition if you take this money out and the board is gone—it is just a shell. I really urge people to support my amendment.</p> <p class="speaker">Mathias Cormann</p><p>Senator Singh's comments just now, that this schedule would cripple ARENA, are really quite unbelievable, because what this schedule does is give effect to a Labor savings measure out of their last budget. That is all it does. We are giving effect to a savings measure that you put in your last budget, that you initiated, that you banked in your last budget and that you failed to legislate. Now you come in here and say that somehow we are crippling ARENA. That is just unbelievable. Of course, the government that initiated that savings measure and banked it in the last budget—the Labor government—when I last looked, was supported by the Greens political party in government.</p><p>The Greens were standing behind the budgets of the previous government. The Greens have said that they were part of guaranteeing supply to the previous government. They have got a member in the House of Representatives who was a part of guaranteeing supply to the previous government. The previous government delivered a budget which reprofiled $370 million in funding over the forward estimates into later years—2019-20 to 2021-22—and reduced funding for ARENA by $435 million over the forward estimates. The changes in this schedule give effect to the Labor Party's last budget. So for Senator Singh to come in here and say that we are somehow crippling ARENA by giving effect to their last budget's savings measures is really quite hypocritical, I would suggest to the Senate.</p><p>As Senator Milne and Senator Singh would well know, the future of ARENA, structurally, is going to be the subject of different legislation. It is not the subject of the package of bills that is in front of us here today. The government will not be supporting these amendments. We will be voting for the schedules to stand as printed and that is what we would recommend every senator to do in this Senate—in particular given the absolute mess that the budget is in after six years of Labor waste and mismanagement.</p> <p class="speaker">Christine Milne</p><p>I would just like to ask the minister to inform the Senate how the government intends to respond to the motion passed yesterday to reappoint the board of ARENA.</p> <p class="speaker">Mathias Cormann</p><p>That is not a matter related to the bill before us. It is not a matter related to the amendment before us. It is obviously a matter for Minister Hunt. Obviously, in the ordinary course of events, Minister Hunt, on behalf of the government, will respond to the motion passed by the Senate.</p><p>The CHAIRMAN: The question is that schedule 5 stand as printed.</p>
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