In recent comments, Treasurer Jim Chalmers has sharply criticised the Liberal Party, labelling them as a “collection of cookers and crackpots” amidst their internal division concerning the target for net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This controversy comes in the wake of a severe defeat for the party in the May federal election, where former leader Peter Dutton proposed an ambitious yet contentious plan to construct seven nuclear reactors in Australia.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley is currently reassessing the party’s position on net zero, faced with dissent from senior shadow ministry members. One senior figure has threatened resignation if Ley endorses the target, while another has forewarned of a potential “mass exodus” from the party. At a press conference with Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen, Chalmers noted that abandoning net zero would signify the worst outcome, both economically and environmentally.
Ley has expressed her concerns over the cost implications of the net zero target, stating she cannot support it “at any cost” until the government discloses its Paris targets. During her economic address in Melbourne, she emphasised the need for a stable and reliable energy grid that affords households and businesses affordable energy, proclaiming her commitment to playing a role in emission reductions in a responsible and transparent manner.
Shadow Home Affairs Minister Andrew Hastie acknowledged his position in the minority regarding the party’s climate approach, underscoring his belief in the need for a well-calibrated policy, despite not having absolute alignment with every colleague. Meanwhile, Shadow Education Minister Jonno Duniam has indicated that supporting net zero may lead to significant departures from the party ranks.
As the opposition navigates its conflicting views on climate policy, the federal government is preparing to unveil its interim emissions reduction target for 2035. A recent report revealed alarming predictions about climate impacts, noting that around 1.5 million people may be at risk of rising sea levels by 2050, and projected warming could lead to catastrophic consequences, including severe heatwave-related fatalities and a staggering financial toll on property and food supply.
Minister Bowen sought to highlight the immediacy of climate change, declaring it a current reality rather than a distant concern. He emphasised that while it is no longer possible to avoid all impacts, there is still an opportunity to mitigate the worst outcomes, advocating for urgent and decisive action in response to the climate crisis.