Liberals Edge Closer to Abandoning Climate Commitment
The Australian Liberal Party appears poised to formally abandon its net zero emissions target following a marathon five-hour meeting that exposed deep divisions within the opposition. Liberal leader Sussan Ley is expected to announce the party's definitive position on Thursday morning after the shadow ministry convenes to resolve the matter.
Fractious Meeting Reveals Overwhelming Opposition
During Wednesday's lengthy gathering at Parliament House in Canberra, 49 Liberal MPs voiced their positions on the climate policy. According to senior party sources, the debate revealed overwhelming opposition to maintaining the commitment, with 28 speakers advocating for completely jettisoning net zero. Only 17 expressed desire to retain the target in some form, while four members remained undecided.
Shadow energy minister Dan Tehan, who refrained from speaking during the meeting alongside Ms Ley, later told reporters that discussions had been passionate given the significance of energy and emissions reduction. He noted "pretty much unanimity" on guiding principles including ensuring a stable grid, affordable power, and reducing emissions responsibly.
Leadership Battle and Factional Maneuvering
The net zero debate has become a proxy battle for Sussan Ley's leadership and the future direction of the Liberal Party. In a display of factional strength, more than a dozen conservatives including Angus Taylor and leadership threat Andrew Hastie entered the meeting together shortly before noon.
Among the most vocal advocates for ditching the target were senior Liberals including Taylor, deputy leader Ted O'Brien, and Senate leader Michaelia Cash, who reportedly urged the party to fight net zero with the same determination they opposed the Indigenous voice to parliament referendum.
On the opposing side, moderate Liberals including Andrew Bragg, Jane Hume, and Julian Leeser argued for retaining the commitment in some form. Frontbencher Tim Wilson, who notably defeated a teal independent in the May election, warned that abandoning net zero would isolate the party from groups like the National Farmers Federation.
The internal research presented by federal Liberal Party director Andrew Hirst revealed that voters largely equate net zero with taking action on climate change, adding another layer of complexity to the decision.
Implications and Next Steps
The shadow ministry meeting on Thursday morning will determine the party's formal position. Following this decision, three Liberals and three Nationals will develop a joint Coalition position to be presented to the joint party room on Sunday.
The controversy has prompted veiled threats from moderate MPs, with Bragg and Maria Kovacic suggesting they might quit the shadow ministry if the Liberals abandon both net zero and the Paris Agreement. Wilson has similarly left the door open to frontbench resignation if the party adopts what he terms a "Nationals-lite" approach.
The Nationals previously dumped their net zero commitment earlier this month, increasing pressure on Liberals to follow suit to maintain Coalition unity. The outcome of Thursday's decision will likely shape Australia's climate policy debate for years to come and could significantly impact the Liberal Party's appeal to younger voters and metropolitan constituencies.
