THE National Party formally abandoned a commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050. National Party leader, David Littleproud, has proposed pegging emissions reduction efforts to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development average and focusing on adaptation measures.
Federal Member for Nicholls, Sam Birrell, has addressed his party’s walk back of the emissions plan.
“The Nationals decision to back Australians first with cheaper electricity, secure jobs and lower emissions is an important step forward for our region,” said Mr Birrell.
“Across the Nicholls electorate people rely on affordable and reliable energy, their jobs depend on it.
“Businesses, farmers, manufacturers, food processors and households are already hurting from soaring energy costs. What the Nationals want is an all-technology approach, to deliver the lowest possible energy prices for Australian households and businesses, while maintaining reliability and lowering emissions.
“We can’t afford the cost of Labor’s reckless Net Zero plan, and we can’t afford to risk sending industry and jobs in Nicholls offshore. We need to bring common sense back to solving climate change. We can continue to reduce emissions and address climate change, and we must.
“But electricity prices are up by 39 per cent, gas prices are up by 46 per cent, real wages have dropped back to 2011 levels, and 7000 manufacturing jobs have been lost.
“The Nationals have adopted a Cheaper, Better, Fairer energy and climate plan that will address climate change and reduction in emissions while protecting our economy and jobs.
“Our plan is fairer because we will reduce emissions in line with comparable nations, not ahead of them. We will ensure that costs are distributed fairly, not concentrated on regional Australia.
“Australia’s attempts to move to a grid dominated by wind and solar are pushing energy and other inputs up and making us globally uncompetitive. Labor’s net zero has failed. We have a plan which is cheaper, better and fairer.”
The decision has been slammed by the Greens. The Liberal Party has brought forward the timeline of its energy policy review because of the Nationals’ decision. Views vary widely within the party on whether to keep net zero, shift the target or abandon it entirely.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the Coalition’s net zero process as a “circus” and out of step with global developments.
