Coalition Presses Government on Energy Transparency as Net Zero Debate Heats Up
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The federal opposition has accused the Albanese government of lacking transparency on energy and climate policy, demanding the release of economic modelling as debate intensifies over Barnaby Joyce’s private member’s bill to scrap Australia’s net zero target.
In an interview on ABC’s Afternoon Briefing, opposition energy and emissions reduction spokesman Dan Tehan said the Coalition welcomed open debate on the floor of Parliament but criticized the government for withholding key data underpinning its climate programs.
“We want transparency always,” Tehan said. “If you’re happy to have this debate, then let’s see the data and let’s see the figures and let’s see the modelling on what your approach is based on.”
Push for disclosure
Tehan pointed to the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), which he said had refused to release modelling details for commercial reasons. A recent Freedom of Information request for the information was rejected.
“It’s the leading scientific agency in this country, and it’s not releasing modelling because it’s now for commercial reasons. This is strange,” Tehan said.
He also cited the government’s $10 billion Capacity Investment Scheme, noting that budget documents listed billions in taxpayer funds as “not for disclosure.”
“There are billions of dollars of taxpayers’ money going out the door. We’re not seeing anything to do with that,” he said.
Barnaby Joyce’s bill
Parliament is currently debating a bill put forward by former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce that would overturn Australia’s legislated commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050. While private members’ bills rarely receive priority, the government has allowed time for discussion in the chamber.
Tehan said the Coalition would consider its position on the legislation but used the debate to urge the government to apply the same openness to other proposals.
“Let’s hope that when the opposition put other private members’ bills, you’ll do this as well,” Tehan said.
Asked whether the Coalition party room would need to determine a binding position on the bill, Tehan said discussions were ongoing. “We’ll have a discussion and see what’s going to happen,” he said.
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Calls for more gas
Tehan argued that the immediate priority for energy policy should be boosting gas supply, warning of risks to household budgets and industry competitiveness.
“Everywhere I go, everyone I speak to, whether it be industry, whether it be the electricity sector itself, says without us getting more gas into the system, then we’ve got problems,” he said.
He said the Coalition was meeting with gas producers this week as part of its policy development process. “If we don’t get it right, people are going to suffer when it comes to their household budgets and industries are going to suffer as a result,” he said.
State divisions on net zero
The debate comes after Liberal-National party branches in Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia voted at recent state conferences to drop the federal Coalition’s commitment to net zero.
Tehan said he had examined the Queensland motion closely, noting that it reflected grassroots concern about rising energy prices, stagnant emissions levels and the impact on industry.
“They had deep, deep concerns about what’s happening to electricity prices, what’s happening to gas prices, the fact that emissions are flatlining in this country, what’s happening to industry as a result,” he said.
Prime Minister’s warning
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warned on Monday that abandoning the net zero target would amount to denying the reality of climate change.
“If you get rid of net zero, you’re saying climate change is not real,” Albanese said.
Tehan rejected that characterisation, saying the government should instead be judged on its election promise to lower electricity bills.
“He promised that electricity prices would go down in this nation,” Tehan said. “Not only did he promise they’d go down by the end of 2025, they’d also go down by the end of 2030. And then he won an election. But so what? He still promised that they would go down.”
Emissions report
Tehan cited the government’s own quarterly emissions report showing annual emissions had remained “relatively flat at the national level in recent years.”
“So we’re seeing flatlining emissions and at the same time we’re seeing electricity and gas prices go through the roof. I mean, that’s a mess,” he said.
Policy timetable
Tehan said the Coalition was in the process of developing its energy policy, starting with consultations with the gas industry. He indicated the party hoped to outline a detailed platform by mid-2024.
“My hope is that we’ll have something that we’ll be able to seriously put towards the middle of next year,” he said. “But we’ve got to get it right and we’ve also got to see what’s happening with what the government is doing.”
The government will be required to submit a new 2035 emissions target under the Paris Agreement at upcoming United Nations climate forums. Tehan questioned whether Labor had conducted any economic modelling for its goals.
“What’s the economic cost? Have you modelled the economic cost on that? And can you be transparent with the Australian people?” he said.
Criticism of Chris Bowen
Tehan accused Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen of arrogance in handling industry concerns.
“Everyone I speak to says he’s a little bit arrogant in the way he goes about and not a great listener, which is sad,” Tehan said. “I’d like to encourage you to have a little bit more humility, speak to people and get a sense of what’s happening on the ground because that’s the way we might actually get this right.”
Grassroots unease
Tehan acknowledged that sections of the Coalition base remain deeply skeptical of the net zero target, but maintained the opposition would balance cost, reliability and emissions reduction in shaping its policy.
“What I would do is say to the government, right, let’s model it … let’s have a look at what the economic cost is of what you’re doing, and then let’s balance that with what you should be doing in the emissions reduction space,” he said.
He argued that Labor’s current trajectory left households and businesses paying more without achieving meaningful cuts in greenhouse gas output.
“The levels that they’re at today are pretty similar to the levels they were at when we left office,” he said. “So basically, where they’re at now is where we were at. That’s pretty much a bit of a failure. And not only that, we’ve got higher electricity and higher gas prices to boot for it.”
Looking ahead
While the government has not confirmed whether it will back Joyce’s bill, Labor has reiterated its commitment to net zero by 2050 and a 43% reduction in emissions by 2030.
Tehan said the opposition would continue pressing for detailed economic modelling and greater transparency on the government’s energy programs.
“That way you get a very good policy, which is in the national interest,” he said.
The Coalition’s final stance on net zero remains uncertain as party debates continue at both federal and state levels.
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