Liberal Frontbencher Threatens Resignation Over Net Zero Policy Dispute
Shadow Home Affairs Minister Andrew Hastie admits minority position within party as climate policy review continues
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Shadow Home Affairs Minister Andrew Hastie has threatened to resign from the Liberal Party's front bench if leader Sussan Ley commits the opposition to net zero emissions by 2050, revealing deep internal divisions over climate policy during a Sky News interview Wednesday.
Hastie confirmed he would be "out of a job" if the Liberal Party adopts Labor's net zero framework, stating he has consistently opposed such targets since addressing union workers in 2018.
"I wouldn't be much use to the coalition if I'm out the front trying to sell a policy I don't believe in," Hastie told Sky News First Edition host Pete Stefanovic.
The Western Australian MP acknowledged he holds a minority position within his own party on energy policy, with most Liberal colleagues disagreeing with his stance against net zero commitments.
"Most of my colleagues, in fact, don't support my position. So I'm in the minority here," Hastie said. "If you pulled out a spreadsheet, Pete, you'd find that a lot of people don't support my energy position."
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Policy Review Underway
The threat comes as Ley and Deputy Leader Dan Tehan lead an internal policy review process on the Liberal Party's climate and energy positions. Hastie said the party leadership team "will come to a position when we come to a position" but maintained his opposition to accepting what he called "Labor's framing" of the climate debate.
Hastie argued the Liberal Party should focus on energy security and price targets rather than emissions reduction, citing increased emissions from major economies including China, India, South Korea, the United States and Japan.
"We should be focused on our primary obligation, which is to the Australian people and delivering cheaper energy for families, businesses and industry," he said.
The shadow minister warned that accepting net zero targets would severely constrain energy options, limiting the grid to "no coal, limited gas, only 15 gigawatts out to 2050 and no nuclear power."
Long-Standing Opposition
Hastie traced his opposition to climate targets back to 2018, when he addressed Australian Workers' Union members who had formed a picket line outside his Mandurah office.
"I was on the back of a ute with a bullhorn and I made it very clear about my views on the Paris Agreement," he said. "This is very consistent for me."
He dismissed suggestions his timing was poor, given the release of what he called a "doomsday climate report," responding to unnamed Liberal sources quoted in the Sydney Morning Herald who criticized his position.
"Whoever said that, they obviously didn't have the courage to put their name to it," Hastie said. "But secondly, they've got a severe case of Stockholm syndrome. They're hostage to Labor's framing of this whole debate, which is focused on climate."
Leadership Dynamics
When pressed about his relationship with Ley following his public ultimatum, Hastie described it as "fine" and said they remain "in communication," though he acknowledged they are not in daily contact.
"We're not besties on the phone every day as you'd expect," he said. "I'm not talking to all my colleagues every day. We're all back in our electorates at the moment doing our jobs."
Hastie rejected suggestions his potential departure could trigger a leadership spill, citing his minority position within the parliamentary party.
"I don't think so at all," he said when asked if his resignation would prompt leadership speculation.
The shadow minister also deflected questions about his own leadership ambitions, focusing instead on the party's two-year timeline to rebuild before the next federal election.
The internal Liberal dispute emerges as the party struggles in opinion polling, with Hastie acknowledging a recent poll showing poor results while describing it as "a snapshot in time."
"We've got two years to rebuild, build some great policy and demonstrate to the Australian people we're fighting for them and a more secure and prosperous Australia," he said.
Hastie emphasized the party's obligation should be "to the Australian people, not to the International Panel on Climate Change of the United Nations."
Pacific Security Deal
During the interview, Hastie also welcomed reports of an impending Papua New Guinea security agreement, calling stronger Pacific relationships crucial for Australia's strategic interests.
"I think it's so important that we build stronger, deeper relationships with our Pacific Island countries," he said. "We have history that goes all the way back to before the Second World War, but especially developed in the Second World War where we had great support from our Papuan friends."
The potential PNG deal comes amid concerns about China's growing influence in the Pacific region, particularly after Vanuatu appeared to favor Chinese partnerships over Australian engagement.
Energy Security Focus
Hastie's position reflects broader conservative concerns about the economic impact of rapid decarbonization policies. He argued the Liberal Party should reject what he characterized as Labor's climate-focused approach in favor of prioritizing energy affordability and security.
"That's the direction we should go," he said. "And Labor at the moment has framed this about emissions reduction."
The shadow minister warned that adopting net zero targets would impact multiple economic sectors beyond electricity generation, though he did not specify which industries would face the greatest challenges.
His stance puts him at odds with many Coalition colleagues who have indicated support for some form of net zero commitment, though with different timelines and mechanisms than Labor's approach.
The Liberal Party's climate policy review continues as Ley prepares to deliver a major economic speech focusing on budget management, with party sources indicating no immediate resolution of the net zero debate.
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