High-stakes meetings to thrash out Liberal energy plan
Zac de Silva and Tess Ikonomou |
The coalition is expected to lock in its energy and climate policy in a matter of days following months of damaging internal debate and intense speculation about Sussan Ley’s long-term prospects as opposition leader.
Liberal MPs have been summoned to a series of special meetings next week to discuss their highly contentious approach to energy and emissions reduction.
The party is widely expected to water down its commitment to Australia’s climate targets, while still pledging to reduce carbon pollution in some way, after political allies the Nationals unanimously agreed to ditch net-zero emissions by 2050.
Opposition energy spokesman Dan Tehan has been working with colleagues to draw up a new approach to the issue after the coalition’s disastrous election defeat.
A commitment to nuclear energy will be one component of the plan, senior MPs have signalled.
Liberal members will discuss their energy and emissions-reduction policy at a party room meeting on Wednesday.
Shadow ministers will meet to formalise their position the following day.
But even if the Liberals land a cohesive plan amid fierce internal divisions, they will still need to strike an agreement with the Nationals.
A six-person committee – three Liberals and three Nationals – will attempt to reach a compromise on the issue before an online hook-up of both party rooms on November 16.
Ms Ley has been forced to talk down speculation she could face a challenge to her fledgling leadership after two of her main rivals, Liberals Angus Taylor and Andrew Hastie, were seen having dinner together in Canberra.
The pair have both voiced their support for dumping any commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050.
Infighting over the key climate target has heightened following the Nationals’ decision to scrap the policy.
Recent polling reveals support for the Liberals has plummeted to historic lows, heaping more pressure on the opposition leader.
Monash University politics lecturer Blair Williams said it would be a “terrible look” for the Liberal Party’s first female leader to be dumped by a bunch of men.
“Women are watching,” she told AAP.
“By choosing a woman leader in Ley, they sent a message to Australia to say, ‘we are paying attention to what you said to us at the election’.
“Which is, you need more women and more focus on women’s issues.”
AAP
