Overview
- Senator Andrew Bragg said he would resign from Sussan Ley’s shadow ministry if the Liberal Party abandons the Paris Agreement or a net‑zero commitment.
- Bragg called ditching the words “net zero” “too silly for words,” arguing it is the international standard and warning Australia would look like an outlier.
- Reporting indicates the Liberals are likely to move away from the 2050 target, with options canvassed including shifting to 2100, leaving it undated, or dropping it altogether.
- The Nationals have already removed explicit net‑zero language while backing emissions cuts in line with averages among advanced economies.
- Opposition energy spokesperson Dan Tehan described the wording dispute as semantics, urged a focus on “energy abundance” to lower prices, supported keeping coal plants running longer, and did not rule out coal or gas subsidies.