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Today's reading time is 7 minutes. - Miko Santos
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Australia’s opposition Coalition finalized a contentious energy policy Sunday that abandons the net zero emissions target by 2050 while proposing taxpayer subsidies for coal and gas power, triggering immediate criticism from business leaders and climate experts as internal party divisions threaten leader Susan Ley’s position.
1️⃣ Policy Prioritizes Affordability Over Emissions Targets
The joint Liberal-National party room meeting produced what opposition leader Susan Ley characterized as an “affordable energy” approach that maintains nominal Paris Agreement membership while rejecting specific emissions reduction timelines. Shadow Energy Minister Dan Tien defended the policy Monday, describing it as “technology-neutral” and emphasizing plans to extend coal-fired power station lifespans through government support. The Coalition argues that energy prices, which have risen 40 percent under the current Labor government, justify the policy shift away from renewable energy mandates.
2️⃣ Business Groups Question Economic Viability
Major industry organizations including the Business Council of Australia, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Australian Industry Group have expressed skepticism about the policy’s economic assumptions. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese criticized the proposal Monday as “blancmange” lacking coherent structure, noting that Paris Agreement commitments require forward progress on emissions targets that cannot be rolled back. Energy experts have warned that the policy uncertainty could discourage investment in power generation infrastructure, potentially driving prices higher rather than lower.
3️⃣ Record Low Polling Fuels Leadership Speculation
New Redbridge polling released Monday shows Coalition support fell five percentage points in one month to a record low of 24 percent, while Pauline Hanson’s One Nation rose four points to 18 percent. The poll, conducted during last week’s climate policy debate, revealed preferred prime minister ratings of 33 percent for Peter Dutton compared to 40 percent for Anthony Albanese. Senior Liberal sources indicate growing momentum to replace Ley before the parliamentary summer break, with shadow ministers Andrew Hastie and Angus Taylor positioning themselves as potential alternatives.
4️⃣ International Climate Commitments Create Legal Questions
The Coalition’s position of remaining in the Paris Agreement while abandoning net zero targets has created confusion about Australia’s legal obligations under international climate frameworks. National Party leader David Littleproud stated Monday that Paris represents “the world coming together” for ideological emissions reduction without punitive penalties for non-compliance. However, legal experts note that Australia has submitted nationally determined contributions for 2030 and 2035 targets to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which the Coalition has indicated it would eliminate or substantially reduce.
5️⃣ State Liberal Parties Distance Themselves From Policy
Liberal opposition parties in New South Wales and other states have publicly distanced themselves from the federal climate position, with polling suggesting moderate Liberal voters in urban constituencies view the policy as lacking credible climate action. Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who lost the Liberal leadership twice over climate issues, described the policy Monday as a “fact-free, reality-free culture war” driven by right-wing media rather than engineering and economic considerations. The internal party divisions threaten to complicate the Coalition’s efforts to present a unified alternative government ahead of the next federal election.
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