UPDATE: In a shocking turn of events, the Australian Coalition has officially abandoned its commitment to net zero emissions by 2050, igniting fierce backlash from progressive campaigners and the Labor Party. This controversial decision was confirmed earlier today, setting the stage for a heated political battle in the lead-up to the next federal election.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley insists the party’s drastic policy shift will not impact its support in urban areas, despite widespread condemnation from environmental advocates. The Coalition plans to finalize its new climate policy within days, focusing on taxpayer-funded subsidies for existing coal and gas plants, which they claim will lower energy prices while maintaining carbon emissions reductions over time.
Labor and Climate 200, which financially supports independent candidates, quickly capitalized on the policy change, launching fundraising campaigns aimed at mobilizing voter support. Just over two years before the next federal election, both organizations are rallying for action against what they perceive as a regressive stance on climate change.
Ley argues that her proposed policy will keep Australia aligned with the Paris Agreement, despite its provisions against diminishing emission reduction commitments. “If there are reasons why people in Paris or in some United Nations organization don’t like it, I can deal with that,” she declared, seemingly unfazed by potential breaches of international obligations.
When questioned about how this new energy policy would help regain capital-city seats lost to teal independents, Ley emphasized that power prices are a pressing concern for all voters. “Let’s not misunderstand what climate action is,” she stated. “If people think that this government’s approach to so-called climate action is working, then they should have a really good look at it, because it’s actually not bringing emissions down.”
Progressive activists wasted no time in criticizing the Coalition’s shift, with Climate 200 executive director Byron Fay remarking, “If the Libs want to make fringe views their official policy, community independents will continue to rise and relegate them to the fringes.”
Meanwhile, Energy Minister Chris Bowen accused the Coalition of neglecting climate change, sending an email to supporters with the subject line “this is what we’re up against,” urging them to join Labor or donate. Former Liberal MP and moderate Fiona Martin lamented the decision, calling it a “sad day” for the Liberal Party. “Just because you don’t think you can reach a target doesn’t mean you abandon it. The Liberals once led for the future; today they took us backwards,” she told reporters.
With the Coalition’s new policy in place, they now face negotiations with the Nationals, who unanimously agreed to abandon net zero earlier this month. A joint meeting involving three representatives from each party is scheduled for this weekend to finalize their official coalition policy, which is expected to be endorsed at a virtual gathering on November 5, 2023.
This rapid policy shift is poised to reshape Australia’s political landscape, as both Labor and independent candidates ramp up their campaigns against the backdrop of climate urgency. Expect further developments as this story unfolds.
