Wright MP Scott Buchholz has explained his reasons for voting against Australia's emissions reduction targets after the new laws passed the federal parliament's lower house last week.
Mr Buchholz joined Forde MP Bert van Manen and all but one of his Liberal Party colleagues in voting against the laws that set a carbon emissions cut target of 43 per cent on 2005 levels by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050. Liberal MP Bridget Archer was the only opposition member to vote with the government to pass the laws 89 votes to 55.
The 2030 commitment was a step up from the former coalition government's unlegislated 26 to 28 per cent target, while bipartisan support remained for the 2050 target. The new laws include greater transparency, strengthened requirements on the Climate Change Authority, and stated a clear intention to drive climate action.
Mr Buchholz described the legislation as "unnecessary"
"Don't for a minute think that just because I didn't vote for the legislation that I was voting against the environment," he said.
"My position was one of common sense."
Scenic Rim Business 4 Climate Action's Innes Larkin said he was glad an intelligent Parliament was finally taking action.
"The Scenic Rim is one of the highest areas of solar penetration in Australia," he said.
"It's costing our businesses now and this legislation will make it more affordable."
Mr Buchholz said the new laws put undue pressure on businesses that were already taking steps to reduce emissions.
"We would have got there without legislation," he said.
"We have to be mindful of what the net benefit is to the environment if, as a planet if we don't all move forward collectively.
"I don't think there's a great amount of benefit when other countries like China are potentially flipping the bird to the environment.
"That's not an excuse for us to do nothing but we (LNP) invested more in solar and alternative energy than any other government in modern times in Australia.
"What we saw last week in Canberra was not a win for the environment ... it was virtue signaling by those who think they're making a difference.
"What they're really doing is adding another layer of cost to business."
The Prime Minister was critical of the Coalition for not backing the bill after opposition Leader Peter Dutton told his joint party room prior to the vote that legislation was not essential to put in place the 43 per cent target.
"They have an opportunity, when the legislation gets to the Senate, to change their mind and to bring themselves into the 21st century and make themselves relevant to the debate," the Prime Minister said.
