In this article, Daniel Wild contextualises and disseminates the IPA’s research on Net Zero.
It’s two cheers for the Liberal Party. The first is for finally dumping net zero. The second is for opening the door to extending the lives of our coal stations, or even investing in new ones, writes Daniel Wild.
It’s two cheers for the Liberal Party.
The first cheer is for finally dumping the ruinous policy of net zero emissions by 2050, which Scott Morrison signed Australia up to in 2021.
This means that Australians will now have a debate on this matter.
The second cheer is for opening the door to extending the lives of our coal stations, or even investing in new ones.
But this all depends on the willingness of the Liberal Party to campaign on ditching net zero, and explaining why our lives will be better as a result.
Since we signed up to net zero, electricity prices have risen by 40 per cent in four years and are set to increase further.
Record numbers of businesses have gone to the wall, in part because they can’t afford to pay their energy bills.
Manufacturing is moving offshore.
And we are making ourselves more dependent on hostile foreign powers for our energy infrastructure, because 90 per cent of solar panels are imported from China.
According to the government’s own data, emissions have barely come down since 2021, despite billions of dollars pumped into policies designed to do just that.
Net zero is also a proven vote loser for the Liberal Party, having taken the policy to two elections and getting smashed at both. This includes losing all but one teal seat we are told they would win if only they had a net zero policy.
And despite the lack of a contest on this matter, a majority of Australians – including of 18-24 year olds – still do not actively support net zero.
Yet there are worrying signs already.
The ‘peace deal’ to keep the moderates happy is a poison pill for the party.
Apparently, under the deal, the Liberals will remain committed to the idea that they will set interim emissions reductions targets if elected. Obviously, Labor will demand these details be released before the election, which will turn the debate precisely back on to emissions rather than cutting prices.
Second, the party will also say it welcomes net zero should it happen.
The obvious question Australians will ask, then, is if net zero is welcome, why not legislate it?
The price of peace with the moderates is too high, and is set to cost the Liberals and Australians dearly once again.
