Overview
- Bowen signalled potential carbon tariffs on emission-heavy imports such as cement and steel to guard against carbon leakage
- He commissioned ANU Professor Frank Jotzo to examine a carbon border adjustment mechanism with early findings flagging clinker, cement and lime as high risk
- Official figures show Australia's emissions rose by 0.05% in 2024, marking a flatline in emissions reduction efforts
- The government approved a 40-year extension of the North West Shelf oil and gas licence under strict environmental approvals legislation
- Coalition energy spokesman Dan Tehan accused Bowen of copying Donald Trump’s tariff approach in a post-election policy shift