MARK DREYFUS MP

Julie Bishop's criticism that Australian businesses should not be able to buy international carbon permits reveals the complete rejection of basic economics that underpins the opposition's completely discredited climate change policy.

Of all the objectionable lies that Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has told, the latest load of nonsense about repealing the Clean Energy Future is the most damaging to Australia.

I've given up expecting the opposition to tell the truth about the government's clean energy future plan. But they could at least tell the truth about their own past positions.

Despite Tony Abbott's four-month-long bricklaying, petrol pumping, fish-slicing fear campaign, Australians continue to engage in the national discussion about climate change.

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.