Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee [Part 2], , 39:37 to 49:29
Following a break, the committee discusses Article 18.2 of the EU FTA regarding domestic environmental policies and net zero.
Topics: Climate change, Emissions reduction, Trade policy
Speakers: Senator Matthew Canavan, George Mina, Senator Raff Ciccone, Unknown Speaker, Interjection
>> All right, welcome back everyone. Hopefully you all had a nice break at dinner. Now, um Senator Canavan, did you want to kick off more questions?
>> I just um wanted to go to um uh chapter 18 then of um the free trade deal uh in particular. I think uh section um 18.2 I think it was referred to earlier as um providing some sort of flexibility to or for uh the Australian government on its uh net zero uh climate commitments article 18.2 I should say. [snorts] So is the is the position you put earlier that uh uh particularly clause one there of 18.2 two lets each party determine its own domestic environmental
>> Uh well, Senator, the words were uh let each party establish determine it sustainable development policies, establish a level of of domestic and environmental labor protection it deems appropriate and to adopt or modify its relevant law and policies in a manner consistent with this commitment. So >> [clears throat] >> uh this is a very clear and explicit expression of the flexibility to which we were talking earlier. Senator,
>> well Mr. Manny, it didn't quite finish that sentence there. It says consistent with its commitments under the
>> under the international agreements standards referred to in this chapter. That's right.
>> Yes. Can I just finish my question then? Uh so it reads consistent with its commitments under the international agreements and labor standards referred to in this chapter. Mhm. >> Now later on in this chapter specifically um 18.6 uh each party uh it says uh uh the commitment to effectively implement the Paris agreement includes the obligation to refrain from any act or mission which materially defeats the object and purpose of the Paris agreement. And then it goes on to say, in light of paragraph one, each party shall promote the mutual supportiveness of trade and climate policies and measures that contribute to the transition to a net zero and low greenhouse gas emissions, sustainable circular economy, and climate resilient development. So read together that 18 uh two get out of jail clause so to speak does nothing of the sort because it it is restrained the government's our government's uh uh uh flexibility to adapt and modify its relevant law is restrained by the commitments in this chapter which include include as I said in 18.6 six uh measures that contribute to the transition of the economy transition of a net zero economy. Sorry. I on my very plain reading of that we are committed to net zero under this
>> Well Senator that's uh not not correct. Uh if you are referencing article 18.6.4
>> I was reading from 18.63A. 63A >> each party shall promote the mutual support of trade climate policy and measures that contribute to the transition to a net zero and low greenhouse gas emissions sustainable circular economy.
>> Yes.
>> Right. So we we can't do anything given the words in 18.2 we can't do anything that's not consistent with 18.63A.