The Australian Liberal Party has made a dramatic decision to abandon its commitment to the nation's net zero emissions target, following months of intense internal conflict over climate and energy policy.
End of Coalition Climate Commitment
Opposition leader Sussan Ley is scheduled to announce the formal policy shift on Thursday afternoon, after the Liberal shadow ministry reached agreement during a crucial meeting. This decision effectively ends the Coalition's commitment to the climate goal established during Scott Morrison's leadership.
The shadow ministry gathering followed an extensive five-hour party room debate on Wednesday, where most Liberal MPs expressed support for discarding the net zero by 2050 target. This occurred despite warnings from the party's federal director, Andrew Hirst, who cautioned that voters strongly associate net zero with meaningful climate action.
Political Compromises and Fallout
In a significant concession to moderate Liberals including Andrew Bragg and Maria Kovacic, the shadow ministry agreed that a future Coalition government would not withdraw from the Paris Agreement. This represented a crucial red-line for the party's moderate faction.
According to two sources who spoke with Guardian Australia, MPs will retain the freedom to describe achieving net zero as a 'welcome outcome' in future discussions, providing some consolation to moderates who fought to preserve the target.
The policy reversal is expected to satisfy conservative elements within the party and temporarily prevent potential leadership challenges from Angus Taylor or Andrew Hastie, both of whom had advocated for abandoning the 2050 target.
Wider Political Reactions and Concerns
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the Coalition's decision, asserting that it demonstrates a fundamental disbelief in climate science. 'Have no doubt the Coalition approach would hurt Australians,' Albanese stated, warning of reduced investment, fewer jobs, and damage to international relationships.
Albanese characterized the Liberals as a 'divided rabble' and 'clown show', particularly noting the symbolic image of Taylor and Hastie entering Wednesday's meeting together.
Liberal senator Andrew McLachlan, a supporter of net zero, expressed grave concerns about the electoral consequences. He warned that abandoning the target would make it 'very difficult' to win back city electorates and isolate the party from both the community and business sectors.
The next phase involves three Liberals and three Nationals collaborating to develop a joint Coalition position, which will be presented to the joint party room on Sunday for final approval.
