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Liberal Senator Andrew Bragg defended Australia’s commitment to international climate obligations while acknowledging National Party concerns about net zero implementation, as deepening policy divisions within the coalition threaten to undermine efforts to hold the Labor government accountable, according to a Sky News interview Monday morning.
Bragg, who serves as Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness, navigated the widening gap between coalition partners by arguing Australia can maintain net zero commitments while implementing better policies than the current Labor government. His position places him at odds with Nationals Leader David Littleproud, who announced over the weekend his party had formally abandoned the net zero by 2050 target.
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The Liberal senator rejected suggestions the Nationals are holding a gun to the Liberals’ head over climate policy, instead praising some National Party arguments about Australia’s energy policy failures. However, Bragg firmly stated Australia must maintain fidelity to international treaty obligations while pursuing net zero more effectively than Labor’s current approach.
“Australia has important treaty obligations. We should maintain those, but we should do net zero better than Labor’s done it,” Bragg told Sky News AM Agenda. “The main point I make is that Australia has important treaty obligations. We should maintain those.”
Bragg outlined a technology-agnostic approach to energy policy that would eliminate unnecessary subsidization and reconsider implementation timetables. He cited New Zealand’s agricultural exemption as an example of how countries can tailor climate policies to their specific circumstances while remaining within international frameworks.
The senator emphasized Australia’s position as a massively trade-exposed nation, arguing this reality makes maintaining international commitments essential for economic security. He drew distinctions between Australia and the United States, noting America’s strong domestic market allows policy flexibility unavailable to export-dependent nations like Australia.
Bragg said every G20 country except one participates in climate accords, underscoring the importance of Australia’s continued involvement. He argued the Paris Accord’s requirement to reach net zero in the second half of this century provides sufficient flexibility for Australia to meet obligations without economic devastation.
“The Paris Accord requires you to get to net zero in the second half of this century. So I don’t think it’s beyond the realm of possibility that Australia could achieve that,” Bragg said. “I would say under Labor’s plan, we’ve got no chance of getting there.”
The Liberal senator acknowledged divisions within his own party, admitting some colleagues will never support net zero commitments in any form. However, he emphasized Australia’s status as a serious country requires showing fidelity to international obligations and commitments while pursuing net zero in ways that reduce power prices, keep industry onshore and advance decarbonization.
When pressed on how the coalition could present a unified message despite divergent positions, Bragg said his understanding was the Nationals are not seeking to completely repudiate the Paris framework. He suggested both parties could work within a common framework focused on achieving net zero sometime this century on Australia’s terms rather than having policies dictated externally.
Bragg expressed hope the coalition can “thread the needle” on climate policy, acknowledging the extensive public discussion of internal divisions reflects a healthy culture within Liberal-National parties where difficult issues are openly ventilated. He characterized the debate as expected following the coalition’s heavy election defeat.
“The level of public discussion and knowledge of these internal matters is such that there’s no real secrecy. Everyone knows what everyone else thinks,” Bragg said. “And so my point to you is that I would like us to be able to resolve this.”
The senator described the situation as messy but predictable given the coalition’s first year after electoral defeat. However, he stressed the importance of resolving the climate policy divide as soon as possible to enable effective opposition to the government’s agenda.
Bragg called for the issue to be brought to a head before Christmas, arguing the internal divisions are hampering the coalition’s ability to hold the government accountable on critical policy failures. He said clear resolution within weeks is necessary to restore the opposition’s effectiveness.
“I think right now we are not in a particularly strong position until we resolve this issue. And my view is it should be resolved in the next few weeks,” Bragg said.
The Liberal senator pivoted to attacking Labor’s housing policy, highlighting how government interventions have driven entry-level home prices to record highs. He said first home buyer prices are increasing at the highest rate in living memory because the government failed to build houses while opening up demand-side market interventions.
Bragg accused the government of knowing these outcomes would occur, citing Senate orders demanding production of modeling he believes would prove Labor was aware of the housing price consequences back in July. He criticized the government for treating Senate document requests with contempt, promising to work with crossbench senators to force document production.
“The government is hopeless. It’s letting the country down across the board,” Bragg said. “In the housing portfolio, for example, you’re just seeing first home prices increase at the entry-level point at the highest rate in living memory.”
On energy policy specifics, Bragg advocated for extending coal plant operations beyond current closure timelines, increased gas utilization and nuclear power development. He said the technology-agnostic approach means no form of energy should be rejected if it can be produced reasonably cheaply and cleanly as part of an overall mix.
The senator argued Labor’s energy policies have led to higher prices, reduced onshore industry and failed to make significant progress on decarbonization. He said the government’s approach of heavy subsidization and inflexible timetables has produced poor outcomes across multiple metrics.
Bragg emphasized regional communities have been treated poorly during the renewable energy rollout, citing problems with transmission infrastructure siting and new energy project development. He said National Party concerns about regional impacts are reasonable and must be addressed in any coalition climate policy framework.
The Liberal senator maintained his position that Australians expect the nation to maintain decarbonization efforts while delivering lower power prices and onshore jobs. He rejected the notion that political advantage comes from abandoning climate action entirely, arguing Australians won’t reward parties for declaring efforts too difficult.
“I think we’re not a country that gives up. So I think that if you’re talking in strictly political terms here, I don’t see how anyone thinks they’re going to be rewarded from just saying, oh, it’s all too hard, we give up, Australia isn’t going to do anything,” Bragg said.
When asked whether maintaining international obligations or keeping the coalition together was more important, Bragg deflected by stating Australia will not completely walk away from international obligations regardless of political considerations. He said this principle transcends individual or party interests.
However, Bragg acknowledged the coalition’s viability requires resolution of the climate policy divide. He expressed confidence in the coalition’s ability to remain united while threading the policy needle between competing imperatives.
The senator’s comments reflect the difficult position moderate Liberals face as they attempt to maintain coalition unity while defending climate action principles. His emphasis on international obligations and Australia’s trade exposure represents the business-oriented wing of the Liberal Party concerned about economic consequences of abandoning climate commitments.
The climate policy divide comes as both coalition parties work to rebuild their electoral positioning following comprehensive defeat. Internal disagreements on fundamental policy questions typically signal electoral vulnerability, with voters often punishing parties perceived as divided or directionless.
The deadline Bragg proposed for resolving the climate policy question before Christmas creates pressure on Liberal Leader Sussan Ley to finalize her party’s position. How Ley navigates between moderates like Bragg who defend net zero and conservatives who support the Nationals approach will determine whether the coalition can present unified climate messaging heading into the next election.
The divisions also provide opportunities for the Labor government to exploit coalition disunity on climate and energy policy. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government has struggled with energy affordability issues, but internal opposition divisions may provide political cover for Labor’s policy failures.
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