Senator FIFIELD (Victoria—Manager of Government Business in the Senate and Assistant Minister for Social Services) (15:57): I seek leave to make a short statement. The PRESIDENT: Leave is granted for one minute. Senator FIFIELD: Mr Coalition—Mr Coalition? Mr President, you are independent as President. Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Thank you, Senators. Senator FIFIELD: The government is committed to reducing Australia's emissions by five per cent below 2000 levels by 2020. This target represents a substantial effort and equates to the US target. Australia is playing its part in an effective international response to climate change through Direct Action, including our $2.5 billion Emissions Reduction Fund, international engagement and our aid program. Unlike many other countries, when we announce a target we meet it. As the government has previously said often, we will be announcing our post-2020 target next year once we have considered what other countries are doing. I reinforce again your scrupulous independence, Mr President. 'Coalition' was being used in the broader sense of embracing everyone in the chamber. The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Minister. The question is that the motion moved by Senator Milne be agreed to.