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Liberal Senator Jane Hume called on her party to abandon internal opposition and support Australia's bid to host a UN climate summit, describing the event as crucial economic opportunity that could attract billions in foreign investment.
Speaking on ABC News Australia, Hume argued the Coalition should wholeheartedly embrace both the climate conference and commit to net zero emissions by 2050, despite fierce internal party resistance on both issues.
"Let's face it, COP, while it does bring in world leaders to make some pretty serious decisions about a low emissions future, most importantly, it's a giant trade fair," Hume said. "Why wouldn't we want the world's financiers to come to Australia? We're a capital inflow-dependent nation."
The senator's comments come as Australia competes with Turkey for hosting rights to the international climate summit, with the bidding process currently in a standoff between the two nations. Hume suggested Coalition support could tip the scales in Australia's favor.
"I do think that a united front gives us a much better chance of a successful bid," she said. "There's an economic imperative here and a real opportunity for Australia."
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Since the federal election, the Coalition has been internally divided over committing to net zero emissions by 2050, with state Liberal parties voting against the target and numerous colleagues campaigning publicly against the policy.
Hume dismissed the internal opposition, framing net zero adoption as both an electoral necessity and economic imperative. She pointed to 33 seats the Liberals need to win to form government, arguing those constituencies have made clear demands for climate action.
"For election after election, the voters have told us that they want to see a low emissions future," Hume said. "So I think that ship really has sailed."
The South Australian senator emphasized the economic argument, citing Australia's dependence on foreign capital and international investors' requirements for policy certainty. She referenced a recent billion-dollar investment from a Dutch pension fund into Australian renewable energy as evidence of capital flows responding to policy stability.
"Over a billion dollars was invested from a Dutch pension fund into Octopus Investments, an Oasis fund, which is an Australian renewable energy fund, just a few weeks ago in response largely to the uncertain policy settings that are occurring in the US right now," Hume explained.
The interview occurred as environmental concerns mount across Australia, with dead fish continuing to wash up on beaches due to algal blooms that some scientists link to climate change.
Hume argued a UN climate summit would showcase Australia's strengths in critical industries, including the nation's $1.5 billion nuclear export industry centered in South Australia and the country's critical minerals capabilities.
"Why wouldn't we want those companies that, for instance, setting up nuclear power generation right around the world to show off their wares here in Australia?" she said.
The senator criticized Labor's approach to renewable energy targets, calling the government's methods "reckless" while suggesting the Coalition could offer a more sensible alternative through climate summit participation.
"This is a great opportunity to attract private sector capital so that we can start lifting the subsidies that taxpayers are paying for," Hume said.
On net zero commitments, Hume expressed confidence that technological advances would make zero emissions achievable by the 2050 target date, describing it as 25 years away with ample time for innovation.
"I have absolutely no doubt that the technology will be there to be able to deliver a zero emissions future," she said. "This is something that we should be embracing."
The senator drew parallels to international investment patterns, noting how policy uncertainty in other countries drives capital toward more stable markets. She cited the recent Dutch investment as evidence that Australia could benefit from clearer climate commitments.
"We know that when other countries have uncertain policy settings, like we've seen in the US, that capital moves," Hume said.
Despite internal party resistance, Hume insisted Liberal Party members ultimately want to return to government, suggesting climate policy positions could determine electoral success.
"Liberal Party members really want to return to government," she said. "They want to make sure that we have a sensible, fiscally responsible Liberal government in charge of the Treasury benches."
When pressed on whether the party could win without adopting net zero, Hume was definitive: "The way to get there is to make sure that we reflect what a modern Australia wants, and a modern Australia have told us that they want a zero emissions future."
The senator advocated for energy policy based on "economic sense" rather than ideology, positioning herself against colleagues who continue to resist climate commitments.
Hume's public stance puts her at odds with significant portions of her party, as state Liberal organizations have voted against net zero targets and numerous federal colleagues maintain public opposition to the 2050 commitment.
The comments represent a significant intervention in ongoing Coalition climate policy debates, with Hume using economic arguments to counter traditional party resistance to emissions targets and international climate agreements.
The senator's emphasis on the UN summit as a "trade fair" reflects attempts to reframe climate action in business terms, highlighting potential benefits for Australian industries from nuclear energy to critical minerals mining.
As the bidding process for the climate summit continues, Hume's call for unified Coalition support signals growing pressure within Liberal ranks to embrace climate policies despite persistent internal opposition.
The intervention comes at a critical time for Coalition climate policy, with electoral considerations weighing against traditional party positions as Australia seeks to position itself in international climate discussions while managing domestic political divisions.
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