Former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce has introduced a bill to scrap Australia’s legal commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
It follows the Western Australian Liberal Party’s move to abandon net zero, which has not been formally adopted by MPs or Senators.
The push comes as the Coalition conducts a post-election review of its policies, including on energy.
Labor has suggested Joyce’s bill could be a sign the Coalition will drop its commitment to net zero.
Net zero
Net zero greenhouse gas emissions refers to balancing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced and taken out of the atmosphere.
When fossil fuels like coal, gas, and oil are burned, they release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Australia has legislated to achieve net zero by 2050. The plan involves reducing emissions by transitioning to renewable energy, such as wind and solar.
Joyce's bill
Joyce is a former leader of the National Party, the Liberals’ coalition partner. He has long criticised plans to transition to net zero emissions.
On Monday, Joyce introduced a bill to the House of Representatives to repeal the law binding Australia to a net zero target by 2050.
Joyce’s bill would also scrap other measures, including the Net Zero Economy Authority — an independent body tasked with moving workers into low-emissions industries. Last year, the Coalition voted against establishing the Authority.
In a speech to Parliament, Joyce said Australians are being “done over” by net zero energy policies.
“This is not about whether you believe in climate change or not,” he said.
“Net zero is going to have absolutely no effect on the climate whatsoever.”
UN climate scientists have called on all countries to reduce emissions faster, to limit global warming to 1.5°C above the levels recorded before the Industrial Revolution.
Branches
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Over the weekend, the WA State Liberal Council voted to withdraw the party’s support for net zero by 2050.
The council is the organisational wing of the party. Liberal parliamentarians are not bound to its decisions.
Federal WA Liberal MP Andrew Hastie hinted he would push for the federal Liberals to adopt the measure, in order to “[call] out Labor’s moral hypocrisy on climate and energy policy”.
The South Australian Liberal branch has also voted to scrap net zero.
Federal response
Joyce introduced a “private members’ bill,” which can be put forward by an individual MP or Senator without necessarily reflecting a party’s overall position.
The bill is set to fail as Labor has a majority in the House of Representatives.
A spokesperson for Coalition leader Sussan Ley told TDA Joyce is “entitled” to put forward a private members’ bill in Parliament.
The Liberal Party is currently reviewing all of its election policies, including on energy. The Coalition spokesperson said its policy would seek to drive down both power bills and emissions.
Liberal MP Garth Hamilton backed Joyce’s push to scrap net zero commitments.
However, Victorian Liberal Senator Jane Hume said “successive elections” had shown Australians voted for stronger action on reducing emissions.
Labor's response
The Government has now questioned the Opposition’s commitment to net zero emissions.
“Even Peter Dutton backed net zero. Sussan Ley won’t,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s office said in a statement.
Climate Minister Chris Bowen said the bill indicated internal divisions in the Coalition.
“People in rural and regional Australia have the most gain out of jobs and investments created by net zero,” Bowen told Parliament.
