At the first sitting of parliament since the May election that saw Labor win, and 12 Greens win the Senate and four seats in the lower house, as well as ‘teal' candidates who won traditional Liberal seats, Albanese strengthened his proposed legislation. 

 

Future changes may only strengthen emissions cuts and he has made clear he will try to increase the target  over time. 

 

Currently the target is 43% by 2030 over 2005 levels, as opposed to the former Coalition's 26-28%.

 

The Greens want higher cuts and also want to see all fossil fuel projects that are not already in production, such as Woodside Energy Group's Scarborough, cancelled. 

 

Greens would like to see a 75% target by 2030 and net-zero by 2035, not 2050. Leader Adam Bandt would also phase out all oil, gas and coal exports. 

 

"The bill makes it clear that 43% is our minimum commitment - and does not prevent our collective efforts delivering even stronger reductions over the coming decade," energy minister Chris Bowen said.

 

"We went to the election promising to reduce emissions by 43 per cent by 2030, we were given a mandate and now we are delivering." 

 

The bill will be introduced to the floor tomorrow. Even if it passes in the lower house, it will need every upper house vote it can get later this year.