Local Federal Member for Page, Kevin Hogan (Nationals) has backed his party’s abandonment of Net Zero by 2050, a scientifically backed policy aimed at addressing climate change by reducing carbon emissions.
Yet local Labor MP, Justine Elliot, told The Echo her government is sending ‘the right investment signal’, and responding to climate science.
In February 2024, The Australian Office of Financial Management (AOFM) cited eciu.net/netzerotracker for their claim that, ‘Australia is one of 27 nations to have legislated its net zero targets’.
The move by the Nats is reflective of the US Trump administration’s roll back on policies aimed at climate change mitigation. Other countries like the UK, New Zealand and Mexico are also moving away from science-backed policies.
The federal government’s Climate Change Act passed the Senate in September 2022.
The Act outlines Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets of a 43% reduction from 2005 levels by 2030 and net zero by 2050; requires the minister to prepare and table an annual climate change statement; requires the Climate Change Authority to give the minister advice concerning the annual statement and future greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets; and provides for periodic reviews of the operation of the Act.
Australians first
In a statement, Hogan said, ‘The Nationals are putting Australians first, announcing a plan for cheaper electricity, secure jobs and lower emissions’.
He said it would ‘deliver the lowest possible electricity prices for Australian households and businesses, while maintaining reliability and lowering emissions’.
‘Labor’s ‘net zero’ policy means everyone is paying more for power in the middle of a cost of living crisis,’ Mr Hogan said.
‘Families are paying too much. Jobs are being lost. Forests and farmland are being destroyed. Labor’s net zero has failed.
‘That’s why we will abandon a Net Zero commitment, and have adopted a cheaper, better and fairer energy and climate plan.
Nats leader David Littleproud wrote in Murdoch’s Daily Telegraph on Tuesday (today) that his party will work with the Liberal Party (the Coalition) with whatever policy they decide upon.
The Libs are still without a clear policy on climate change and are facing internal turmoil, policy vacuums and diminishing public support.
Littleproud also called for the government to build coal-fired power plants. Such a policy would give the government some control over the privately-owned energy sector, yet detailed operational or construction frameworks for building new coal-fired power plants have not been released.
Renewables ‘reckless’, says Hogan
Hogan said, ‘Our plan is cheaper because we will lower energy prices first, use all of our resources and abandon the commitment to net zero’.
‘Our plan is better because we will protect our forests and farmland that are being destroyed by the reckless renewable rollout.
‘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.
‘Australian families and businesses deserve a reliable energy system that keeps costs down and supports local jobs, especially in our regional communities’, he added.
The Nats have published a website to support claims around rising energy costs – https://powering.au/.
Using data they say is sourced from the federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), the Nats say, ‘Energy makes up 75% of Australia’s emissions – but cuts have focused mostly on farmland’.
’90% of emissions cuts came from cutting productive farmland, not energy transition.
‘7.2 million hectares of farmland already lost – and another 5.1 million hectares could go’.
Alternative plan from Nats
Alternatives proposed by the Nats are to ‘Amend rules to prioritise the lowest energy prices; scrap carbon taxes and end Labor’s war on utes and family cars; and unleash all our energy, including coal, gas, nuclear and renewables’.
Additionally, the Nationals are calling to ‘Weather-proof Australia through dams, back-burning and improving soils; support landcare, soil carbon and waterway initiatives, and prioritise defence, critical minerals, food and fuel security’.
The website reads, ‘We want to bring back a simple and successful program called the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF). It rewards farmers, communities, and industries that find smart ways to cut emissions – like planting trees, improving soil, or using cleaner technology’.
Only Labor acts on climate change
Local federal Labor MP, Justine Elliot, told The Echo, ‘Only Labor has a record of acting on climate change and delivering a plan to deliver net zero emissions by 2050, while growing a strong economy in the process’.
‘We’ve also provided three rounds of energy bill relief to homes and small businesses. We’re delivering critical investments in renewable energy and we’re rolling out our Cheaper Home Batteries Program.
‘We have also accepted the Climate Change Authority’s advice to set a new 2035 target cutting emissions by 62–70 per cent. This is ambitious but achievable. It sends the right investment signal, responds to the science and is delivered with a practical plan,’ Justine said.
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