Hearings to examine climate change bills

THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on the Environment and Energy is holding public hearings for its inquiry into climate change bills on Friday January 29 and Monday February 1, 2021.

The two private members’ Bills were introduced in Parliament by Zali Steggall MP on November 9, 2020, and referred to the committee for review. 

The Bills seek to alter Australia’s current climate change management and establish a new Climate Change Commission to replace the current Climate Change Authority. 

Committee Chair Ted O’Brien said, “The Committee will consider the Bills carefully and we’re looking forward to hearing the views of a range of interested parties.”

Acknowledging a high level of interest in the inquiry, Mr O’Brien noted the Committee’s experience in managing inquiries on issues of important public policy.

“We have recently managed inquiries into nuclear energy, bushfires, Scope 3 emissions and feral cats, and so the Committee is well placed to now deliberate on the proposed climate change bills," Mr O'Brien.

“As a Committee, we’ll do what we always do. We won’t draw any conclusions prematurely, but rather assess the information with dispassionate independence.”  

The Committee will commence its hearing on Friday with the key Australian Government agencies managing Australia’s current climate change framework. 

The hearing will then consider views from the health, science, technical, environmental, infrastructure, energy, planning, business and investment sectors. 

On Monday, the Committee will hear from some state and local government bodies and others including grassroots community groups, policy development organisations, academics and legal experts. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, committee hearings are not presently open for physical attendance by members of the public. Proceedings will be available to watch live or later on the Parliament’s website at aph.gov.au/live.

Public hearing details
Date: Friday 29 January 2021
Time: 9.30am to 4.45pm
Location: Via video and teleconference 

Date: Monday 1 February 2021
Time: 11am to 5pm
Location: Via video and teleconference.

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