Overview
- About 35 Liberal MPs met in Canberra for a three-hour consultative session led by Dan Tehan, which produced no vote but identified areas of agreement on cutting emissions and focusing on electricity costs.
- Divisions persist over the ‘net zero’ label and legislated targets, with many conservatives urging the term’s removal while moderates argue for retaining clear emissions goals.
- Tehan said there is a pathway to unite colleagues on principles, though several MPs cautioned the party remains far from settling the mechanics of any future policy.
- Liberals fear the Nationals could move first to dump net zero at their federal council meeting, potentially taking a formal position next week and straining Coalition unity.
- Nuclear power features prominently in Tehan’s review after consultations in the United States, as figures such as Andrew Hastie and Barnaby Joyce continue high-profile opposition to net zero; Sussan Ley skipped the meeting to visit the energy‑hit Tomago smelter.