URGENT UPDATE: The Liberal Party is poised to abandon its commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050, a move that could significantly impact Australia’s climate policy. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley is expected to unveil the party’s new climate strategy after a critical shadow cabinet meeting on Thursday. This decision follows intense discussions among party members, revealing deep divisions over climate action.
The proposed shift, which includes a push for extending coal-fired power and embracing nuclear energy, has sparked serious concerns among climate advocates. Former Liberal treasurer and chair of the Climate Change Authority, Matt Kean, warned that this move represents a form of “denial selling” that undermines national interests. “That’s hugely disappointing… delay is just another form of denial selling,” Kean stated in a recent interview with ABC Radio.
During a five-hour meeting involving all 51 Liberal MPs and senators, a majority spoke in favor of scrapping the net-zero goal, a decision that could have dire consequences for Australia’s emissions reduction efforts. South Australian senator Andrew McLachlan strongly criticized the notion that abandoning net-zero would benefit the party electorally, saying, “You’re going to be very alone in the community and also the business community.”
Moderate voices within the party, including senators Andrew Bragg and Maria Kovacic, have echoed concerns about the potential fallout from this policy shift. They have indicated their struggle to remain in the shadow cabinet if the party endorses a retreat from its climate commitments. Fellow moderate Dave Sharma acknowledged the party’s majority view but reaffirmed his commitment to the Liberal message.
The internal debate is set to escalate when the Liberals negotiate their position with junior coalition partner, the Nationals. A joint partyroom meeting scheduled for Sunday will be crucial in finalizing their stance on climate policy.
Ley, facing mounting pressure, described the recent shadow cabinet meeting as “excellent” but remained non-committal about the unity of the party on this pivotal issue. Western Sydney MP Melissa McIntosh expressed confidence in Ley’s leadership, stating, “I’ve always backed the leader.”
In preparation for the policy announcement, energy spokesman Dan Tehan introduced ten guiding principles, including maintaining a stable and affordable power supply while addressing emissions. Among these principles is a commitment to extend the life of aging coal power plants and lift the ban on nuclear energy, alongside a rejection of what the Liberals label “sneaky carbon taxes” proposed by the Labor Party.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the Liberal Party’s impending decision, asserting that it would reverse progress on climate action. “They’re walking away from climate action because they fundamentally do not believe in the science of climate change,” Albanese remarked during a press conference in Sydney. He emphasized the financial toll of internal party conflicts on Australian citizens, stating, “Australians cannot afford to keep paying the price of coalition infighting when it comes to climate policy and energy policy.”
As the Liberal Party prepares to unveil its new climate strategy, all eyes will be on the upcoming negotiations with the Nationals and the potential ramifications for Australia’s environmental future. The political landscape is shifting, and the stakes could not be higher. Stay tuned for the latest developments as this story unfolds.
