In a dramatic political shift that has exposed deep internal divisions, Australia's Liberal Party has formally abandoned its commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The decision, confirmed by party sources, was reached during a five-hour shadow cabinet meeting on Thursday involving all 51 Liberal MPs and senators.
A Contentious Decision and Its Immediate Fallout
The party will, however, maintain its membership in the international Paris Agreement, the landmark 2015 climate treaty that obligates signatories to increase their emissions targets every five years. This move follows weeks of intense internal debate that had reportedly threatened the leadership of Sussan Ley.
According to people present in the party room, a majority of members spoke in favour of ditching Australia's net-zero goal. The policy shift, championed by the party's conservative faction, is a significant blow to Liberal moderates who fear it will severely damage their chances of winning back vital inner-city electorates where climate action is a priority for voters.
Internal Rebellion and Policy Principles
The internal discord was palpable. Moderate frontbenchers, including NSW senators Andrew Bragg and Maria Kovacic, have publicly indicated they would struggle to remain in shadow cabinet if the party officially walked away from its existing climate pledge. Their concerns were starkly contrasted by a show of force from net-zero critics, including Angus Taylor and Andrew Hastie, who marched into the meeting in a coordinated display of unity against the target.
Energy spokesman Dan Tehan outlined ten principles that informed the party's decision. Among the 'foundational principles' were ensuring a stable and affordable national power supply while still taking action to reduce emissions. The party's new direction also includes a pledge to extend the life of ageing coal power plants for as long as possible, lift the ban on nuclear power, and scrap a series of Labor policies the Liberals label as 'sneaky carbon taxes'.
Political Reactions and the Path Forward
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was quick to condemn the opposition's move, stating it would take Australia backwards. 'They're walking away from climate action because they fundamentally do not believe in the science of climate change,' he told reporters in Sydney. He lambasted the public display of dissent within the Liberal ranks, branding the entire episode a 'clown show' and a clear sign of opposition to Sussan Ley's leadership.
Meanwhile, Climate Change Authority chair and former NSW Liberal treasurer Matt Kean offered a stark warning on ABC radio, asserting that ditching net zero or delaying climate action was merely 'another form of denial'.
The Liberal Party's new stance is not yet final. The party must still negotiate a shared position with its junior coalition partner, the Nationals. A joint partyroom meeting has been scheduled for Sunday, where the political partners are expected to seal a final deal on the issue, setting the stage for the next federal election.
