Labor Treasurer Jim Chalmers budget speech on May 12 conspicuously omitted the word “climate” and plans to tackle the climate emergency.

This is despite the global energy crisis, brought on by the United States and Israel’s illegal war on Iran and its restrictions on oil supply through the Strait of Hormuz.

Chalmers mentions “renewable energy” just twice — once to celebrate a “robust” business “outlook” and the other in the context of progressing towards “net zero”.

This is typical of Labor’s climate policy: Make a song and dance about the domestic transition towards renewable energy (and some policies make a modest push in that direction) while actively supporting the expansion of climate destroying fossil fuel exports.

The Climate Council described Labor’s budget as a “free kick” for the fossil fuel industry. It said more than $19 billion in annual fossil fuel subsidies and foregone gas tax revenue are “maintained” and it “ignores” major opportunities to expand clean energy solutions.

The Labor government has responded to the oil shock and related agricultural issues by focusing on shoring up fuel and fertiliser supplies so that petrol prices do not rise too much. It is also giving “targeted support” to the electric vehicle industry.

While fossil fuels remain the........

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