Sussan Ley out selling the Coalition’s energy policy on Sunrise this morning. Phtoto: Sussan Ley Facebook.
Nuclear energy remains part of the Coalition’s policy platform and so, too, it seems, is a crackdown on Australia’s immigration intake.
After the Liberals’ and Nationals’ energy policy meeting on Sunday (16 November), which was followed by a virtual joint partyroom meeting, the Coalition has now formally dumped its commitment to net zero, promised to lift the moratorium on nuclear power, and flagged a tough immigration policy.
Sussan Ley has left no doubt that the right wing is steering the Coalition’s policy direction, and she is presenting a tough persona in an effort to ward off any challenges to her leadership.
During a press conference to outline the Coalition’s energy policy, the Opposition Leader made it clear immigration policy was next.
Ms Ley said migration was “another priority of mine” and that shadow immigration minister Paul Scarr and shadow home affairs minister Jono Duniam have been working on developing the policy.
“In the coming weeks, we will release a migration policy, the broad principles of such a policy, that demonstrates what I have said from the get-go, which is that this country’s migration numbers are far too high, and this needs to be addressed as a priority,” she said.
“But today is about energy, affordable energy, responsible emissions reduction, and playing our part globally exactly as we should.”
Beyond committing to quitting its commitment to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, the Coalition’s new energy policy promises to ensure no premature closure of coal plants.
It would achieve this by removing the ban on nuclear power and pursuing investments in technology, including carbon capture and storage, solar, biofuels, and low-emissions metals – adding uranium to the list of critical minerals.
In the first meeting of the national cabinet under a future Coalition government, an amendment would be moved to remove emissions reduction as a national electricity objective for the Australian Energy Market Operator.
The Coalition’s plan aims to create a long-term technology-neutral reliability mechanism for new and existing generation, such as a “technology-neutral capacity mechanism”, exclusively focused on delivering affordable and reliable power.
It supports more gas supply by unlocking investment in new gas supply and infrastructure, streamlining regulations and committing to an annual offshore acreage release.
The Coalition will also establish an east coast gas reservation scheme, provided that the scheme guarantees supply to Australian consumers, protects contracts with the nation’s trading partners, and puts downward pressure on prices.
“Australians deserve affordable energy and responsible emissions reduction, but under Labor we’ve seen a trifecta of failures: reliability’s coming down, prices are going up, and emissions are flatlining,” Ms Ley said.
“We will prioritise affordable energy for households and businesses, and this is just so important.”
Nationals leader David Littleproud said the Coalition’s policy wasn’t concerned with science but with economics.
He said families are hurting, businesses are under pressure, and productive farmland was being “carved up” for projects that make no sense.
“Net zero is not the only way to actually address climate change and to actually do our fair share,” Mr Littleproud said.
“We’re saying to the Australian people, let’s have a conversation … We want to actually say to the Australian people there’s an alternative way, and we have to show that.
“We demonstrated that today, and the fact that we can bring our two party rooms together in a constructive way, that has real solutions for Australians, shows the maturity and strength of our Coalition.”
Shadow energy minister Dan Tehan said the Coalition’s policy was “all about energy affordability” and doing the “responsible thing” when it comes to emissions reduction.
“Can I say to the Australian people, every time you hear the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Energy Minister Chris Bowen attacking us, you should know they’re doing that not being focused on doing the right thing by you, and that is bringing your energy prices down,” Mr Tehan said.
“Every time they attack us, you should know they’re doing it because they don’t have an answer when it comes to energy affordability and reducing emissions.”
Mr Albanese described the Opposition as a “rabble and clown show”. He said the Coalition’s decision to abandon its commitment to the net-zero target will negatively impact investment in renewable energy and ultimately harm consumers.
“Australians shouldn’t pay the price of Coalition chaos because that is what we are dealing with now, is their failure to put in place any energy policy,” Mr Albanese said.
“If anyone thinks that there is certainty in the Coalition going forward, then they’re not paying any attention to the rabble and clown show the Coalition have become when it comes to energy policy and climate policy.”
