Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has dumped the Liberal Party’s commitment to net zero. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
The Liberal Party will dump its commitment to net zero, following the shadow ministry’s decision made during its specially convened four-hour meeting on Thursday morning (13 November).
The group is backtracking on the Coalition’s agreement to the legislated net-zero carbon emissions goal by 2050, but says it will officially remain in the Paris Agreement.
To do so, the party will set five-year targets through the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) mechanism, provided the Coalition returns to government.
NDCs are climate action plans submitted by countries under the Paris Agreement to outline their goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and how they plan to continue adapting to the impacts of climate change.
The Liberal leadership group agreed to remove net zero from the Climate Change Act if they are reelected, and also repeal Labor’s 2030 emissions reduction target.
Net zero will now be totally removed from the Liberal Party’s policy platform.
The position has delighted many in the party but has upset moderates who argued to keep the commitment.
Bizarrely, individual Liberals will be allowed to talk up the benefits of Australia reaching its net zero targets – while also acknowledging that it is not part of their party’s platform.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley confirmed the outcome of the meeting on Thursday afternoon.
“Australians deserve affordable energy and responsible emissions reduction. And the Liberal Party believes we can do both. But affordable energy must come first,” she said.
Ms Ley said Labor’s energy policy was not a transition but a “demolition job”, adding that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was lying to Australians by saying he was bringing energy prices down under his plan.
“We remain committed to the Paris Agreement and to doing our fair share to reduce emissions. But we will do it in a way that protects households and budgets and keeps our economy strong,” Ley says.
Nuclear energy also remains a live option for the Coalition.
Thursday’s meeting follows a five-hour session the day before, during which all Liberal MPs and Senators aired their views on the net-zero target.
In that gathering, while there was no formal vote, a majority expressed opposition to the climate change commitment.
About two-thirds of the 49 attendees spoke out to turn their backs on net zero.
This week’s meetings have been seen as a test for Ms Ley’s leadership.
The Nationals have already withdrawn their support for net zero, placing the Opposition Leader in a difficult position to reach a Coalition consensus on energy policy.
The meetings were not previously planned but were hastily scheduled due to pressure sparked by the Nationals’ move and increased rumblings from within the Liberals.
A negotiating meeting with the Nationals is scheduled for late on Sunday (16 November).
Staunch anti-net-zero Nationals Senator Matt Canavan will be leading the junior Coalition party’s negotiations in the Sunday meeting.
Government and crossbench MPs and Senators have already begun publicly condemning the Liberals’ decision, while the Nationals are applauding it.
Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth said the Liberals are choosing to take Australia backwards and walk away from Australian jobs and a bipartisan commitment.
“And what they have done is create uncertainty in business investment, and that means uncertainty when it comes to job growth,” the minister said.
“But our government will not be deterred. We are getting on with the job of investing in cheaper renewable energies, backed up by gas.
“We have an energy plan; they just have division and chaos.”
The Climate Council has described the backflip on net zero as a “dangerous retreat” that could lead to a spike in both pollution and power bills.
Chief executive officer Amanda McKenzie said the decision will also have negative implications for the Coalition politically.
“It’s deadly negligence that would leave Australians facing more fires, floods and heatwaves, while hiking up power bills for Aussie families,” she said.
“After a decade of denial, distraction and delay, the Coalition still doesn’t get it – you can’t win elections by ignoring voters who want meaningful climate action.
“If the Coalition keeps undermining the environment and the economy, they’re heading for net zero seats.”
