Environment and Communications References Committee

Sarah Hanson-Young

I move:

(1) That the following matter be re-referred to the Environment and Communications References Committee for inquiry and report by 25 June 2026:

Greenwashing, with particular reference to:

(a) the environmental and sustainability claims made by companies in industries including energy, vehicles, household products and appliances, food and drink packaging, cosmetics, clothing and footwear;

(b) the impact of misleading environmental and sustainability claims on consumers;

(c) domestic and international examples of regulating companies' environmental and sustainability claims;

(d) advertising standards in relation to environmental and sustainability claims;

(e) legislative options to protect consumers from greenwashing in Australia; and

(f) any other related matters.

(2) That the committee have the power to consider and use the records of the Environment and Communications References Committee appointed in the previous parliament.

Paul Scarr

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Sue Lines

Leave is granted for one minute.

Paul Scarr

Given what happened in relation to the last motion, where Labor and the Greens combined to crunch the coalition and deprive the committee of considering a matter of great importance to the Australian people, the coalition will be taking a stand on this motion and opposing it. We believe that the dealings between the Greens and the Labor Party are compromising the running of this institution to consider matters of great concern to the Australian people, including in relation to the announcement made regarding the importation of beef from the United States, which has its source in both Canada and Mexico. So we will resist Labor and the Greens seeking to crunch the coalition, and seeking to thereby crunch the operation of this institution, and we will oppose.

Sue Lines

The question is that business of the Senate notice of motion No. 3, standing in the name of Senator Hanson-Young, be agreed to.