Overview
- Opposition energy spokesman Dan Tehan is gathering backbench views at Parliament House as part of a review of the Coalition’s energy platform, including its net-zero-by-2050 stance.
- Party figures say the meeting will not set a formal position or involve a vote, reflecting continuing frustration among MPs over the lack of a clear policy.
- Liberal MP Andrew Hastie is skipping the session due to a medical appointment in Perth but reaffirmed his strong opposition to net zero after resigning from the shadow cabinet earlier in October.
- Former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce is not attending after threatening to defect to One Nation and saying he will not recontest for the Nationals over his opposition to net zero.
- Nuclear power remains a prominent option in the review, with Tehan having met US nuclear officials and calling to lift Australia’s moratorium, while no federal Nationals were understood to be attending the backbench session.