Part 7/12:
McCormack also addressed opinions from prominent business figures like Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest, who advocates for even steeper emissions cuts—up to 75%. Forrest's coalition, Business for 75%, urges the government to accelerate its climate action efforts. McCormack contrasted such viewpoints with the reality faced by small businesses, many of which have closed or struggled to survive due to rising energy prices. He noted that in the first three years of the Labor government, over 29,500 small businesses, including construction firms, went under, often unable to afford the energy costs necessary for operation.