The Liberal Party has officially abandoned its pledge to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, signaling a potential shift towards constructing new coal power plants and prolonging the operation of current ones.

Following weeks of internal conflict and a contentious shadow cabinet meeting, party leader Sussan Ley declared the intention to revoke the legislated target of reducing emissions by 43 percent by 2030. Additionally, the party will aim to eliminate the net-zero-by-2050 objective from the Climate Change Act if they come to power.

“Australians deserve access to affordable energy along with responsible emissions reduction. The Liberal Party believes both are achievable, but prioritizing affordable energy is essential,” Ley stated.

She criticized the current government, claiming, “Under Labor, we are witnessing a trio of failures: rising prices, decreased reliability, and stagnant emissions.”

“Labor’s net zero strategies, characterized by mandates and taxes, are adversely affecting businesses and driving up costs,” she added.

“Despite assurances of reduced energy costs, prices have surged significantly under Labor’s leadership,” Ley concluded.

Energy spokesman Dan Tehan said the party was not opposed to opening new coal power plants.

‘We will take a technology agnostic approach. So we will let the market determine how we go about that approach. 

The Liberal party room had an ‘excellent meeting’ on energy and climate policy, Sussan Ley says 

Andrew Hastie and fellow conservatives presented a united front before the party room meeting, but Anthony Albanese criticised it as a ‘clown show’

The party will also support existing coal power plants.   

‘We will support the state governments… who are already sweating their coal assets,’ he said. 

‘We have to make sure we keep capacity in the system

‘We will use all our natural resources to bring downward pressure on energy prices,’ he said. ‘Getting capacity into the system is an absolute priority.

Senator Anne Ruston warned that removing coal too quickly risked destabilising the grid.

‘State governments are already extending the life of coal-fired power stations because they have to keep the lights on,’ she said. ‘It demonstrates that you need baseload power… it is what keeps the lights on.’

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese accused the Coalition of walking away from climate science, describing the party as a ‘clown show’ after senior conservatives marched into the party room on Wednesday in a show of force against net zero.

‘They’re walking away from climate action because they fundamentally do not believe in the science of climate change,’ Albanese said. 

‘Australians cannot afford to keep paying the price of Coalition infighting.’

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the opposition dropping net-zero would take Australia backwards.

‘They’re walking away from climate action because they fundamentally do not believe in the science of climate change,’ he told reporters in Sydney.

‘Australians cannot afford to keep paying the price of coalition infighting when it comes to climate policy and energy policy.’

Yesterday, net-zero critics including Angus Taylor and Andrew Hastie marched into the Liberal party room in a show of unity against the target. 

Albanese seized the moment, branding the whole episode a joke. 

‘It was a show of division, that’s what it was. These were people who many of whom have either challenged or resigned from the front bench,’ Albanese said.

Anthony Albanese has declared the Coalition’s plans to dump net zero a ‘clown show’

 Andrew Hastie and James Paterson shake hands after the meeting

‘You had Angus Taylor walking with his counterparts. This was a sign of opposition to Sussan Ley’s leadership, and it was a rather extraordinary moment

‘And the pictures were very deliberate, for people to gather beforehand – in formation – in order to send that message, and that message was surely received…the clown show they have become.’