Overview
- Sussan Ley confirmed the Liberal Party has dropped the 2050 net zero target and reframed its platform around affordability and reliability while remaining in the Paris Agreement.
- The opposition proposes changing Clean Energy Finance Corporation rules and opening the Capacity Investment Scheme to all energy types, allowing public support for coal and gas projects.
- The party says it would repeal key Labor measures, including fuel-efficiency standards, EV tax breaks, the safeguard mechanism, the $20 billion Rewiring the Nation fund and the 82% by 2030 renewables target.
- Energy specialists, including the Grattan Institute, say recent price spikes stemmed largely from global shocks, weather and coal outages, and argue propping up ageing coal is unlikely to cut bills or emissions.
- Moderate Liberals warn of losses in metropolitan seats as Ley avoids an immediate leadership challenge, with senior figures now negotiating a joint Coalition position with the Nationals ahead of a virtual party-room meeting.