Independent MPs have outlined a list of measures they want included as part of a beefed-up climate change bill, including a “Dutton insurance” policy that would make it more difficult for future governments to shy away from climate action.
Following briefings with the climate and energy minister, Chris Bowen, late last week, six newly elected crossbench MPs and the the re-elected Warringah MP, Zali Steggall, have collaborated on a joint position that was communicated to the government on Monday.
The list of measures came as Bowen said he would be prepared to consider any “sensible suggestions” put forward by the crossbench and the Greens, provided they were in keeping with the government’s mandate.
The demands from the group of community-backed MPs, who all campaigned heavily on more climate action, include language in the bill specifying that the 43% target is a floor not a ceiling, a ratcheting mechanism to boost emissions reduction targets in the future and the establishment of a joint parliamentary committee that would oversee appointments to the Climate Change Authority.
Independents Monique Ryan, Sophie Scamps, Zoe Daniel, Kate Chaney, Kylea Tink and Allegra Spender met with Steggall on Sunday to finalise their position.
Steggall said the three key recommendations, which were drawn from her private member’s bill introduced in 2020, had been shown to work in other jurisdictions such as the UK, and said she hoped the government followed through on its commitment to work collaboratively in the new parliament.
“There has been a lot of public rhetoric since the election about doing politics differently and being more collaborative and constructive, and being willing to consider constructive amendments,” Steggall told Guardian Australia.
“We are taking that in good faith and making these suggestions. We are hoping that the government is genuine in its desire to work together for a good outcome, but the proof will be in its response.”
Steggall said the framework proposed by the crossbench MPs would not stop a future government from repealing the legislation, but prevent a different government from politicising appointments to the Climate Change Authority that determined the government’s direction.
“We need to be scientifically based when it comes to talking about targets, and we need to have a ratchet mechanism and a mechanism to provide further budgets for future governments – it becomes an insurance policy against future governments,” she said, labelling the measure “Dutton insurance” in reference to the opposition leader, Peter Dutton.
Tink said the crossbench shared a “number of core principles” in wanting to see the bill include greater ambition on climate change.
She chalked up an early win for the independents in the government’s shift in language on the 43% target as a floor not a ceiling and called for this to be reflected in the legislation.
“I think the first win for the crossbench is the fact that the government has changed its language on the 43% target – that shows that they are prepared to listen and take on board the pretty strong feedback they have received,” Tink said.
“We are very keen to see the 43% clearly communicated [in the legislation] as a floor not a ceiling, and ensuring that there is a ratcheting mechanism in the legislation itself which makes it easier for the government to lift that in the future. We need to make sure that is a minimum.”
Tink said a parliamentary committee would ensure the legislation was protected into the long term and would keep the primary focus on keeping global warming below the agreed Paris climate goal of a maximum 1.5C.
She also called on the government not to rush the bill through parliament in the first sitting fortnight, saying while it was good the legislation was a priority, it needed to have longevity.
“I think what is important with this legislation is to get it right so it not only provides direction and shape for the government for the next three years, but also direction and shape for the parliament until we reach net zero.”
She raised concern that newly elected crossbench MPs may be forced into the “awkward” situation of having to give up making their first formal speech to parliament – known historically as a maiden speech – in order to speak on the climate bill if the government was determined to rush it through.
The independent MP for the seat of Mayo, Rebekha Sharkie, said she would support the bill as presented by the government, saying she was “satisfied” with the legislation.
“It is a good step forward, the government was elected on this platform, let’s see how they are going to deliver it,” she said.
On Monday, Bowen said he was open to considering amendments to the climate bill, including a ratchet mechanism, which is also being pushed by the Greens.
“Where a member of the crossbench, whether it be the Greens or another member of the crossbench, has a suggestion, which they think improves the way the government achieves its objectives and its agenda and its mandate, I’ll take that in good faith and work with that,” Bowen told ABC Radio National. “That’s the principle that we’re applying.”
Bowen also criticised the opposition for choosing to “make themselves irrelevant” after Dutton indicated the Liberal and National parties would vote against the bill before it was discussed by the Coalition party room.
Guardian Australia reported last month that Liberal MPs Bridget Archer and Andrew Bragg were prepared to cross the floor to support Labor’s bill – a move Bowen said the government would welcome.
“If there are members of the Liberal party, as some have indicated, who are considering voting with their conscience, then, of course, that’s a good thing,” Bowen said.
While the Greens leader, Adam Bandt, has outlined his key concerns with the government’s bill, the Greens’ party room is yet to determine its position on the legislation, with a meeting scheduled before parliament resumes next week.
