MARK DREYFUS MP

Just like Australians have done with water consumption, we need to make a change in the way we think about energy use

It is profoundly disappointing that the Baillieu government is walking away from those commitments, and policies established by previous Victorian governments, preferring to join Mr Abbott's circus of lies and misinformation.

Mr Abbott's threats to scrap the carbon price are economically irresponsible and environmentally reckless. The government's Clean Energy Future plan will ensure we cut carbon pollution in the most economically efficient way, support jobs and assist households

By controlled early burning, it's possible to significantly reduce the number of uncontrolled late-season wildfires and the carbon emissions they release.

Tony Abbott has impeded this Parliament dealing with the issue of climate change with his toxic behaviour, but the time for action is now and the world is acting.

When the Liberal Party was formed in 1944, Robert Menzies said the name liberal was chosen to describe a "progressive party, willing to make experiments, in no sense reactionary but believing in the individual, his rights and his enterprise".

I doubt there are many in Australia today who would describe the Liberal Party of Australia in this way.

Using energy efficiency information makes good business sense as well as helping the environment.

There is no bigger sporting event than the AFL grand final.

Long ago in the Victorian town of Beaufort, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott told a meeting of farmers that climate change was ''absolute crap''. Around about that same time, he explained on ABC television that he was "hugely unconvinced by the so-called settled science on climate change".