Christine Milne: Is CEFC being axed? Or was Abbott lying to world leaders?
The Australian Greens Leader, Senator Christine Milne, uses Question Time in the Senate to ask the Minister representing the Prime Minister whether the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) will still be scrapped, given the corporation was cited by PM Abbott as an excuse for refusing to contribute to the Green Climate Fund.
Senator MILNE (Tasmania-Leader of the Australian Greens) (14:22): My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Abetz. Now that the Prime Minister has cited the Clean Energy Finance Corporation $10 billion as one of his three excuses to German Chancellor Angela Merkel for not giving funding to the Green Climate Fund, can the minister tell me whether the government has now decided to abandon its plan to abolish the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, or was the Prime Minister deliberately lying to another world leader?
Government senators interjecting-
The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Milne, it would be advantageous-you did reflect on the Prime Minister by indicating he deliberately lied. It would be better if you could rephrase your question.
Senator MILNE: I am happy to do so, Mr President. I ask: was the Prime Minister deceiving another world leader?
Senator ABETZ (Tasmania-Leader of the Government in the Senate, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service and Minister for Employment) (14:23): No.
Senator MILNE (Tasmania-Leader of the Australian Greens) (14:23): Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. I ask the minister again: the Prime Minister cited the Clean Energy Finance Corporation to Chancellor Angela Merkel. Is the government going to abolish the Clean Energy Finance Corporation-yes or no?
Senator ABETZ (Tasmania-Leader of the Government in the Senate, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service and Minister for Employment) (14:23): Again, no.
Senator MILNE (Tasmania-Leader of the Australian Greens) (14:24): Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. I take from that that the government is not going to abolish the Clean Energy Finance Corporation. Everyone heard it here, did we not?
Opposition senators interjecting-
Senator MILNE: I feel like I need to get clarification from Senator Abetz. Senator Abetz, is the government going to abolish the Clean Energy Finance Corporation?
Senator ABETZ (Tasmania-Leader of the Government in the Senate, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service and Minister for Employment) (14:24): Our policy remains.
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