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Opposition Deputy Leader Sussan Ley expressed deep skepticism about the Labor government's expected emissions reduction target announcement, warning that energy costs have risen 39% while emissions remain stagnant under Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's leadership.
Speaking on ABC News Breakfast from Melbourne, Ley declined to specify the Coalition's preferred emissions target for 2035, instead focusing criticism on what she called the government's failure to deliver on existing climate commitments.
"I'm deeply skeptical about what the government may announce today with respect to these targets," Ley said. "They need to demonstrate what is the cost and most particularly, where's the credibility? Because we know that the cost to consumers and households has escalated under this government."
The interview comes as the Torres Strait islands face mounting pressure from climate change, with many elders calling for ambitious emissions reduction targets to ensure their survival on threatened islands.
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Energy Policy Under Fire
Ley outlined what she termed a "trifecta of energy failures" under the Labor government, citing rising costs, declining reliability and flat emissions performance.
"So we now have, in the fourth year of the Labor government, a trifecta of energy failures," she said. "Costs are going up by 39% for energy. Reliability is coming down. Manufacturers are leaving this country because of that and cost. And emissions are flatlining."
The Deputy Leader pointed to emissions data showing no improvement from the 28% reduction level when Labor took office compared to current figures.
"28% when Labor came into government, 28% now," Ley said, emphasizing the lack of progress on the government's signature climate policy.
Industry estimates suggest consumers will pay over $500 billion for further emissions targets, according to Ley, who questioned whether the government can deliver stable, reliable energy while meeting climate goals.
Coalition's Climate Position
When pressed for the Coalition's specific emissions reduction target, Ley refused to provide a figure, pointing instead to the government's struggles with existing commitments.
"I'm not going to name a target, which, after all, is just a target," she said. "The last target the government named, remember, 43%, which they legislated, which they made a big fuss about, is not achievable. Experts have already said that."
The Coalition maintains it will "play our part in reducing emissions internationally" while ensuring energy policy delivers "a stable, reliable grid that brings affordable energy for households and businesses."
Ley confirmed the party has established an energy working group led by Dan Tehan, who is currently in the United States examining nuclear energy developments.
"We've got experts, we've got analysis, we're doing the work," she said, defending the Coalition's policy development process against suggestions of internal disagreement on climate policy.
Childcare Policy Opposition
In a wide-ranging interview, Ley also addressed her recent economic speech, defending her opposition to universal childcare policies on grounds of intergenerational fairness.
"If universal childcare means that someone with a billion dollar income receives the same amount of support from the government as someone who's struggling in the suburbs and only just holding it together, well that's not fair," she said.
The Deputy Leader, a mother of three and former minister, emphasized her support for childcare and women's workplace participation while arguing against universal access based on fiscal responsibility.
She criticized the government's spending approach, noting debt is climbing toward $1.2 trillion with "$50,000 a minute in interest on our debt" while young Australians struggle to access homeownership.
"This is about fairness," Ley said. "But importantly, it's about guaranteeing essential services for Australians. Because if we don't manage the budget properly, then those essential services, including the safety net for Australians who need help and who should expect help, are at risk."
PNG Defense Treaty Concerns
Ley also criticized the Prime Minister's handling of defense agreements with Papua New Guinea, supporting the proposed mutual defense treaty while questioning Albanese's public statements about its completion.
"The Prime Minister said on Tuesday that it was signed, sealed and delivered. It was all done. It was all sorted and departed for the Pacific for what looked like a series of photo opportunities," she said.
The Coalition supports PNG's right to take time working through treaty details but argues Albanese misrepresented the agreement's status to the Australian public.
"So two critical strategic deals with our nearest neighbors are not happening, even though the Prime Minister told Australians that they were," Ley said. "We have every right as Australians to feel very disappointed at this misrepresentation of the status of these defense agreements with our nearest neighbors."
Torres Strait Context
The interview was conducted as concerns mount over climate change impacts on Torres Strait islands, where rising sea levels and extreme temperatures threaten traditional communities.
When asked about the cost to vulnerable communities without stronger climate action, Ley acknowledged Australia's responsibility while maintaining her focus on policy credibility.
"Australia does need to play its part and I don't step away from that," she said. "But statements and objectives and targets need to be backed in with clear demonstrations by this government of what the cost will be and whether in fact they are achievable."
Political Implications
The Coalition's criticism comes as the government faces pressure to strengthen climate commitments while managing energy affordability concerns. Ley's emphasis on cost and credibility reflects broader political tensions over Australia's emissions reduction pathway.
The Deputy Leader indicated the Coalition will "hold this government's feet to the fire with the questions that Australians would expect us to ask," suggesting continued scrutiny of Labor's climate and energy policies.
Her comments signal the Coalition's strategy of focusing on implementation challenges rather than announcing competing emissions targets, potentially positioning the party as skeptical of ambitious climate goals without clear cost assessments.
The interview highlights ongoing political divisions over Australia's climate response as the government prepares new emissions targets amid pressure from Pacific neighbors and domestic environmental concerns.
Both major parties acknowledge the need for emissions reduction while disagreeing on targets, timelines and the appropriate balance between climate action and economic considerations affecting households and industry.
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