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Liberals Edge From Net Zero as Nationals Drop Pledge in Party Platform

The Nationals stripping net zero from their platform increases pressure on Liberals still weighing a reworked climate stance.

Overview

  • About 30–35 Liberal MPs held a three-hour consultation in Canberra, signalling support for emissions reduction with a stronger focus on power prices and reliability, but they took no formal decision on a 2050 target.
  • Shadow energy spokesman Dan Tehan said there is a pathway to unify the party on climate and energy, indicating a final position could take months to settle.
  • The Nationals’ Federal Council voted to remove support for achieving net zero, retaining a general commitment to emissions reductions and urging an end to the federal moratorium on nuclear power.
  • Liberal MPs voiced concern the Nationals could front-run the process and adopt a party-room position next week, raising questions about Coalition cohesion.
  • Conservative Liberal Andrew Hastie reiterated his opposition to net zero after missing the meeting, while Tehan’s review continues to examine nuclear options following consultations in the United States.