ACT Independent Senator David Pocock has today accused both Labor and the Coalition of denying a duty of care to Australia’s children and future generations after the Senate rejected his Duty of Care Bill.
The Bill, first introduced in 2023, would require the Environment Minister to consider the health and wellbeing of children when making decisions likely to increase greenhouse gas emissions, such as approving new or expanded coal and gas projects.
Senator Pocock said the decision showed how far both major parties were prepared to go to avoid responsibility for the climate harm caused by their policies.
“In 2021, the Morrison Government argued in court they had no duty of care to children. Labor came to office promising better, but have now approved 31 new or expanded coal and gas projects,” Senator Pocock said.
Senator Pocock said the Bill had overwhelming community support, with 403 submissions to a Senate inquiry and more than 26,000 Australians signing a petition in favour of legislating a duty of care. Only one submission, from the Institute of Public Affairs, outright opposed it.
“This Bill was built with young Australians. People like Anjali, Hannah, Daisy and Jess, who have shown courage and dedication to push parliament to think longer term and protect young Australians,” Senator Pocock said.
“In an inquiry into the bill, doctors, teachers, scientists and grandparents told the Parliament that we have a duty to protect our children from the harms of climate change.”
Senator Pocock said the rejection of the Bill marked another missed opportunity to show leadership and put the health of children before fossil fuel profits.
“This is not just negligent, it is immoral. Future generations will look back and ask why, when we knew the damage we were doing, we chose not to accept our duty as a parliament.”
Senator Pocock thanked the young Australians who inspired and campaigned for the legislation, saying the fight for intergenerational justice would continue.
“Australians understand the scale of the problems this Parliament will hand down to the next generation if we don't stop making short-term decisions. While we may not have a duty today, our laws will one day reflect this reality and force decision makers to consider young people and future generations of Australians.”
Senator Pocock also extended his gratitude to those parliamentarians who signed on to support a duty of care and to Liberal Senator for South Australia, Senator Andrew McLachlan CSC, who crossed the floor to support the bill