Coalition Reviews Net Zero Commitment as Government Approves Massive Gas Project
Independent senator calls Albanese government's first act after re-election a "betrayal of future generations"
Australia's net zero by 2050 target faces political turbulence as the Albanese Government approves a fossil fuel project extending to 2070 while the opposition considers abandoning climate commitments entirely.
The newly re-elected Labor Government has approved an expansion of Woodside's North West Shelf gas project that will generate 4.4 billion tonnes of carbon emissions over its lifespan — equivalent to ten times Australia's current annual emissions from all sources.
The decision, announced Wednesday by Environment Minister Murray Watt, has ignited fierce criticism from crossbench politicians and environmental groups who argue the approval contradicts Australia's commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
Coalition Split on Climate Policy
The controversy comes as the opposition Coalition signals it may abandon its net zero 2050 commitment following a comprehensive policy review announced by Shadow Trade Minister Kevin Hogan.
"We've been signed up to Net Zero 2050 for the last two elections," Hogan told ABC Radio Thursday. "We want to do an audit, if you like, an analysis on the benefits of it, the costs of it in regional communities."
The National Party review has no set timeline but aims to examine whether "new technologies" could provide alternatives to current climate policies. Former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce has indicated he wants the Coalition to withdraw from net zero commitments entirely.
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