‘Passionate’ debate during hours-long climate talks
Zac de Silva, Jacob Shteyman and Grace Crivellaro |
The Liberals are closing in on an official position on climate change and energy after marathon talks, with a majority of members opposing any ongoing commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050.
The nearly five-hour-long meeting heard “very passionate” contributions for and against the climate target, opposition energy spokesman Dan Tehan said.
The talks concluded with MPs and senators agreeing to 10 key principles that will guide their approach to climate and energy policy before a formal announcement on Thursday.
Climate change has become a totemic issue among the Liberals, with party members divided on whether to maintain a formal commitment to Australia’s 2050 target.
No official vote was held on the issue but members who attended Wednesday’s meeting said a majority of the 51-person party room spoke against the goal.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, whose position has come under significant pressure as the party thrashes out its policy, described the meeting as “excellent”.
“Terrific to hear from all of my Liberal Party colleagues,” she said to journalists as she left the party room in Parliament House.
Mr Tehan would not be drawn on exactly what was decided during the meeting, but said his colleagues had agreed to two “foundational principles”: keeping power reliable and affordable, while reducing carbon pollution over time.
“Through all the contributions in the room today, everyone… struck an accord by saying, we have to come together,” he told reporters.
“We have to have a policy, and then we’ve all got to unite behind that policy,” Mr Tehan said.
The energy plan will also be based on eight “guiding principles”, which include a plan to run ageing coal power stations for as long as possible, lifting the ban on nuclear energy and repealing a number of policies that the Liberals say amount to “sneaky carbon taxes”.
The party also insists it will remain committed to the Paris climate agreement, but will not legislate interim emissions-reduction targets.
Experts have previously warned any watering down of Australia’s climate goals would put the government in breach of the Paris accord and could open it up to international legal action.
Western Sydney MP Melissa McIntosh, who doesn’t support net zero, said the world had changed since former prime minister Scott Morrison signed Australia up to the net zero by 2050 target.
“People are struggling now with energy prices,” she told ABC TV.
“We can’t keep on this trajectory. We need to change.
“It felt like in the room there was more people in agreement (with dumping net zero) than against.”
Moderate senator Dave Sharma said Australia’s emissions-reduction target for 2035 would “break our economy”, warning it was unrealistic and unattainable.
“I think Labor has been pursuing emissions reductions at all costs, and they haven’t been particularly successful,” he told Sky News.
West Australian MP Andrew Hastie, who is seen as a potential leadership contender, was seen shaking hands with fellow net-zero opponent James Paterson as the pair left the meeting.
Earlier Mr Hastie arrived with a group of fellow conservatives, presenting a united front for the cameras.
He was accompanied by senator Sarah Henderson, axed frontbencher Jacinta Nampijinpa Price and fellow leadership aspirant Angus Taylor.
Ms Ley arrived with Tasmanian moderate Richard Colbeck, while other moderate senators Andrew Bragg and Maria Kovacevic arrived alone.
The Liberal shadow ministry will formalise its position on Thursday before a joint meeting with the Nationals on Sunday to lock in the coalition’s final policy.
AAP
