Albanese government bolsters climate bill in attempt to win support of teal independents

The Albanese government has strengthened its signature climate legislation to make it clear future emissions reduction targets can only increase, as well as bolstering transparency about its response to expert advice from the Climate Change Authority.

The bill will also enshrine the new targets in the objectives and functions of a range of agencies, including the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, Export Finance Australia, Infrastructure Australia, and the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility.

Labor has the numbers to pass the bill in the lower house where it will be introduced. Debate in that chamber is likely to span the parliamentary fortnight.

The government will need the support of the Greens and independent David Pocock in the Senate to make the proposal law.

The Greens are critical of the 43% target and want a ratchet mechanism in the legislation to ensure increased ambition. The party also wants a moratorium on new fossil fuel developments.

Labor is already facing internal pressure to make that commitment and has room to move on a climate trigger, given it gave no undertakings one way or the other prior to the election. But it would be controversial and spark fierce pushback from the fossil fuel industry and some elements of the trade union movement.

The 47th parliament opens on Tuesday but the Labor caucus met on Monday to approve the outline of the climate bill, while the Liberal and National parties held separate post-election strategy sessions to process the electoral rout on 21 May.

Details of the bill, released on Tuesday, indicate that 11 million employees, including casuals, will receive the entitlement to 10 days of paid leave.

The scheme will start on 1 February for most employees. Small businesses will have an extra six months to adjust, meaning employees of those businesses will be eligible from 1 August 2023.

One woman dies every 10 days in Australia at the hands of their former or current partner.