Senior Liberal threatens to quit over net zero
Source: Sky News Australia
Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie says he will quit or be dumped if the Coalition does not abandon its 2050 net-zero greenhouse gas emissions target.
Coalition leader Sussan Ley faces growing pressure over her leadership after a week of controversy over migration and a poll showing her low popularity with voters.
The Coalition is in the middle of a review of all of its policies, following its thumping at the May election. Hastie, the shadow home affairs spokesman, was asked in an ABC Perth interview late on Monday what he would do if net zero was retained after the review.
Hastie responded that he would be left “without a job”.
“I’ve nailed my colours to the mast,” he said.
“If I go out with the tide in two-and-a-half years, that’s great, you know, I’ll get a lot more time with my kids back.
“My primary mission in politics is to build a stronger, more secure, more competitive Australia. Energy security is a vital input to that.”
Hastie said “everyone is whispering” about his position on net zero so he should make his stance clear.
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“I went on Four Corners, and I said the net-zero policy is a straitjacket for our economy and our country, and I believe that. I’m actually quite passionate about it.”
A sharp increase in deaths due to heatwaves was among the most concerning findings of the National Climate Risk Assessment.
In addition, as many as 1.5 million people could be affected by coastal extremes, such as flooding and cyclones, by 2050.
Ley and her deputy Ted O’Brien responded to the report by advocating for “credible” climate targets that did not overburden households and businesses.
“We need to reduce emissions, but not at any cost,” they said.
A Newspoll on Monday also showed the Coalition’s primary vote had plummeted to its lowest level in the poll’s history, after a controversial week for the opposition on migration.
The poll showed the Coalition sitting on a primary vote of 27 per cent, the lowest level since Newspoll began tracking first preferences in 1985.
Ley’s personal standing took a hit, with her net approval rating sliding to -17, with only 32 per cent of voters satisfied with her performance.
She trailed Labor leader Anthony Albanese 31-51 per cent as preferred prime minister.
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While Ley’s colleagues have dismissed talk of a challenge, she has sought to reassert control.
Independent senator Jacqui Lambie suggested that if the Coalition’s polling didn’t turn around, Ley could face a leadership challenge by Christmas.
Opposition defence spokesman Angus Taylor said the party needed to restore trust with voters.
“We’re still a long way from the next election, but we have a lot of work to do, and there’s no doubt about that,” he told ABC Radio.
“The whole team needs to buckle down and get on with the hard work of rebuilding and putting ourselves in a position where we have policies that are in line with our core Liberal values and are competitive for the next election.”
The poll slump for the Coalition followed a week of controversy triggered by Jacinta Nampijinpa Price’s comments on Indian migrants and her eventual sacking from the shadow cabinet by Ley after she declined to publicly back her.
Climate report ‘wake-up call’
Meanwhile, the Albanese government is considering its 2035 emissions target, which is due to be released later in September.
Albanese described Monday’s climate risk assessment as a wake-up call for anyone who denied the existence of climate change.
The cost of disaster recovery payments could rise by $40 billion a year as climate hazards compounded, the report warned.
It painted a sobering picture of Australia’s ecosystems, economy and way of life under global warming above pre-industrial levels.
Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen acknowledged many Australians would find the climate impacts “confronting” but said they were a vital reminder to keep cutting emissions.
“At a time when the political debate is focused on the cost of action, both real and imagined, this report is a reminder that the cost of inaction will always outweigh the cost of action,” he said.
-with AAP
