Last week it was reported I made comments in the party room that my constituents did not want more action on climate policy, and it was not an issue being raised by voters.
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I was disappointed by these reports because they were untrue.
I do support a move to renewables as part of our energy-generating mix, and I actively practice it at home, with my own solar system, as many households across the electorate do.
Australia leads the world in per-capita investment in renewable energy.
It almost doubles the level of second placed Japan.
The Commonwealth government invested $1.6 billion in solar rooftop panels in the past 12 months alone.
We also have a new $2 billion Climate Solutions Fund to ensure we meet and beat our climate change targets.
Since 2005 Australia's emissions have fallen 12.9 per cent compared with 2 per cent in Canada and a rise of 4 per cent in New Zealand.
In that time China's emissions have risen 67 per cent and India 77 per cent.
In 2013, renewables contributed 13.7 per cent of electricity in the National Electricity Market.
In 2019, this grew to 22.7 per cent.
According to the Australian government's 2019 emissions projections, renewables are expected to contribute 27 per cent of Australia's electricity sent out in 2020.
The government's climate change policies are working to reduce Australia's emissions. Importantly, we are reducing Australia's emissions without an electricity tax.
However, it is important that we ensure baseload power whether that be clean coal technology, gas, hydro or new generation nuclear energy technology currently in the development phase.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said action on climate change should not come at the expense of jobs and industries, and we won't be bullied into higher taxes and higher electricity prices.
Progress is being made but there is more work to be done, and I will continue working with local communities to deliver real environmental improvements.
