UPDATE: The Liberal Party is on the brink of revealing a pivotal new climate change and energy policy following a marathon meeting in Canberra that lasted for hours. The party’s shadow cabinet will convene on Thursday, July 20, 2023, to finalize its strategy aimed at reducing carbon emissions, with an announcement anticipated shortly after.
Sources close to the discussions indicate that a majority of the 51 Liberal MPs and senators are leaning toward abandoning Australia’s current commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Opposition energy spokesman Dan Tehan confirmed that all members were given the opportunity to voice their opinions during the passionate discussions, underscoring the intensity of the debate surrounding energy and emissions reduction.
“This is an issue everyone cares deeply about,” Tehan stated to reporters on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley characterized the lengthy discussions as “excellent,” though she refrained from confirming whether her colleagues are united on the matter.
Tehan has shared a list of 10 principles that will guide the party’s decision, emphasizing key priorities such as maintaining a stable and affordable power supply, extending the life of aging coal power plants, lifting the ban on nuclear energy, and repealing what Liberal MPs refer to as “sneaky carbon taxes” introduced by the Labor government.
While the Liberals are expected to retain some aspiration towards achieving net zero emissions, it is likely that this goal will no longer adhere to the 2050 timeline originally legislated. Following the announcement, the party will need to negotiate a unified stance with its coalition partner, the Nationals. A joint meeting is scheduled for Sunday, where a final agreement on the climate policy is anticipated.
Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who endorsed Australia’s participation in the Paris climate agreement in 2015, expressed optimism about the Liberals’ new direction. He stated, “You should never put cutting emissions ahead of saving jobs, keeping industries, and making people’s cost of living affordable,” during an interview with Sky News.
Additionally, Western Sydney Liberal MP Melissa McIntosh described the meeting as positive, indicating a growing consensus among her colleagues to abandon the net zero target. “It felt like in the room there was more people in agreement (with dumping net zero) than against,” she told ABC TV.
As these developments unfold, all eyes will be on the Liberal Party’s announcement and the subsequent negotiations with the Nationals, which could reshape Australia’s approach to climate change and energy policy significantly. Stay tuned for updates as this critical situation evolves.
