Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the opposition is run by a collection of “cookers and crackpots” after their internal dissent over net zero.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley is reviewing the party’s stance on achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 after their historic defeat at the May federal election, in which her predecessor, Peter Dutton, touted a controversial plan to build seven nuclear reactors across Australia.
Two senior members of the shadow ministry have spoken out against the target, with one threatening to quit or be dumped and the other warning of a “mass exodus” if Ley supports the move.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the opposition is run by a collection of “cookers and crackpots” after their internal dissent over net zero. (Nine)
Speaking at a press conference alongside Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen to announce $1.1 billion to explore opportunities from low-carbon liquid fuels, Chalmers had some unfiltered words to say about the opposition’s infighting.
“The worst possible outcome from an economic point of view and an environmental point of view would be if we walked away from net zero as our political opponents want us to do,” he told reporters.
“The Liberal Party is run now by this weird collection of cookers and crackpots, and nowhere is that more obvious than when it comes to net zero.
“They are as divided and divisive as they have ever been. You see that in their approach to net zero, and you see that in the opposition leader’s speech today.”
Ley gave her first economic speech in Melbourne this afternoon, where she reiterated that she would not support a net zero target “at any cost” because the cost can be “too high”.
“Right now, it looks like the cost is too high when you consider what this government is about to do with its Paris targets. Let’s hold that conversation until they actually make their announcement,” she said.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley gives her first major economic address in Melbourne. (Photograph by Chris Hopkins)
Ley has yet to announce her climate policy, but said it would be underpinned by two themes.
“That we must have a stable, reliable energy grid to deliver affordable energy for households and businesses, and that we will play our role in reducing emissions in a responsible and transparent way,” she said.
He has since doubled down, telling Sky News today he “wouldn’t be much use to the Coalition if I’m out the front trying to sell a policy I don’t believe in”.
He also admitted to being in the minority.
”Most of my colleagues don’t support my position. I’m in the minority here and I know that,” he said.
Shadow home affairs minister Andrew Hastie issued an ultimatum over net zero. (Trevor Collens)
Hastie also tried to dispel speculation of any internal dispute, saying his relationship with Ley was “fine”, but added that “we’re not besties on the phone every day”.
“It’s perfectly fine. We’re in communication. We’re not besties on the phone every day, as you’d expect. I’m not talking to all my colleagues every day. We’re all back in our electorates at the moment doing our jobs,” he said.
Shadow education minister Jonno Duniam this week warned there would be a “mass exodus” if Ley supported net zero.
While the opposition debates what its stance will be, the federal government is poised to reveal its interim emissions reduction target for 2035 this week.
The report found that about 1.5 million people will be at risk of sea level rise by 2050, with 2.9 degrees of warming by 2030 to cause up to 444 per cent more heatwave-related deaths.
Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen handed down the first National Climate Risk Assessment on Monday. (Alex Ellinghausen)
It also warned of a $770 billion hit to property and devastating food shortages.
“We are living through climate change now. It is no longer a forecast, projection, or prediction,” Bowen said on Monday.
“It is a lived reality. It is too late to avoid any impact now. But it’s not too late to avoid the worst of the impacts.”