Independent Senator Rex Patrick has signalled his intention to disallow the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative – Electricity Generation from Landfill Gas) Methodology Determination 2021 issued by the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction on 8 September 2021.
Senator Patrick is concerned that the instrument issued by Minister Taylor is not permissible under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011. Under the Act the Minister cannot vary a method to extend a time period over which a project gets carbon credits when the Integrity Committee has previously recommended against doing so.
There is evidence that suggests the majority of the credits issued in this scheme represent carbon abatement that was not additional – over $300 million of taxpayers’ dollars is at stake. It is therefore essential that the Senate carefully looks into the properness of the determination and whether the money is being spent in the most effective manner.
Senator Patrick will lodge a disallowance motion in the Senate next week to be voted on in the next parliament after the issue has been properly examined.
