Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce says there is a “lunatic crusade” over net zero. Photo: The Nationals.
Barnaby Joyce is going to put an end to all this “net zero nonsense” the first chance he gets and that opportunity will be when Federal Parliament returns next week.
The National Party MP and former deputy prime minister has vowed to introduce a Private Member’s Bill to sort out what he is calling Labor’s “lunatic crusade”.
His bill will seek to repeal Australia’s whole net zero target because, he says, it’s been toyed with for far too long and there is far too much at stake.
In social media posts and television interviews over the past few days, Mr Joyce has used a range of expressive terms to describe the net zero target.
His labels have ranged from “crazy” to a “disgrace” to “treacherous” when talking about the Federal Government’s legislated aim to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
The United Nations reports that as of June 2024, 107 countries responsible for approximately 82 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions had adopted net zero pledges.
These commitments were made either in law, in policy documents such as national climate action plans or long-term strategies, or in an announcement by a high-level government official.
“More than 9000 companies worldwide and over 1000 cities, more than 1000 educational institutions, and over 600 financial institutions have joined the Race to Zero, pledging to take rigorous, immediate action to halve global emissions by 2030,” the UN states.
In Australia, laws have been passed to firm the commitment and to promote economic transformation as the nation transitions to a net zero emissions economy.
That shift involves expanding Australia’s energy system and transitioning from coal and gas-fired power to renewable sources such as wind and solar.
But that’s where Mr Joyce comes in. He’s had enough.
“There is no more time to assess, to ponder, to nuance or to amend,” he wrote on Facebook.
“Net zero must be repealed and as such, I will, at my first opportunity, bring forward a bill to do that.
“The idea that, at this stage, we have put the focus of our nation on a lunatic crusade of net zero is treacherous to the very security of Australia.”
In a subsequent media interview, Mr Joyce said the pursuit of net zero emissions risks Australia’s energy security while adding to cost-of-living pressures.
While Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has so far not revealed her position on net zero, there are plenty inside the Liberals and especially the Nationals who are urging Mr Joyce to force a show of hands.
Since the election routing, the Opposition has only 43 of the 150 Lower House seats.
The Coalition has embarked on a review of its policy positions and climate change and energy are among its most contentious.
“I’ve been fighting for this for so long, but I think it’s got to a point we’ve actually got to say ‘okay, let’s see where we vote’,” Mr Joyce told Sky News.
“Or more to the point, if you don’t even want to vote.
“You’re so courageous about the climate, but you won’t even have the debate in the parliament…
“I’m hoping that the people who are so courageous, so emboldened with their virtue about changing the temperature of the globe… if they have that conviction that goes all the way to their desire for the Parliament of Australia to have the debate about net zero.”
But with the Federal Government steadfastly committed to the net zero goal – and with Labor holding a massive majority on the floor of the House of Representatives – what are the chances of Mr Joyce’s bill even being read and considered for debate?
And especially in the first fortnight of the new parliament?
“Look, I’m a realist,” he said.
“I don’t think it gets support, but I think it’s important for the Australian people to understand exactly what is before you.”
