The Liberal Party has formally abandoned Australia’s net zero by 2050 emissions target, ending bipartisan support for the climate goal that was legislated just three years ago.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley is set to unveil the party’s new climate policy following a Thursday morning shadow cabinet meeting. The announcement comes after a marathon five-hour party room debate that saw 28 MPs speak against the target and 17 in favour.
The decision marks a significant win for the party’s conservative faction and aligns the Liberals with their Coalition partners, the Nationals, who ditched the target earlier this month.
Shadow Ministry Endorses Policy Shift
The Liberal shadow ministry met at 9 am Thursday to finalise the policy details ahead of a public announcement scheduled for approximately 2 pm.
Shadow Energy Minister Dan Tehan confirmed the party would release clear policy direction by midday. He outlined 10 guiding principles, including two “foundational principles” focused on keeping power affordable and reliable while taking action to reduce emissions.
Key policy elements include:
- Extending the life of coal-fired power stations
- Lifting the ban on nuclear energy
- Scrapping Labor’s climate policies deemed “sneaky carbon taxes”
- Maintaining commitment to the Paris Agreement
- Retaining an aspiration for net zero but without a 2050 deadline
Liberal MPs leaving the marathon five-hour party room meeting on net zero policy
Conservative Victory, Moderate Discontent
The policy shift represents a clear victory for the Liberal Party’s conservative faction, championed by figures including Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor and Senator Michaelia Cash.
However, the decision has created friction among moderate MPs who view the move as damaging to the party’s electoral prospects in inner-city seats. South Australian Senator Andrew McLachlan directly challenged colleagues supporting the change.
“If you’re going to argue that we’re going to abandon net zero, you’re going to be very alone in the community and also the business community,” McLachlan told ABC Radio National. “I think all levels of community have moved on.”
NSW Senators Andrew Bragg and Maria Kovacic reportedly flagged difficulty remaining in the shadow cabinet if the party backs away from its existing net zero pledge. Senator Dave Sharma, while personally disagreeing with the decision, said he would respect the majority view as a “team player.”
PM Albanese Criticises Policy Reversal
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese launched a sharp attack on the Coalition’s decision, arguing it undermines investment certainty and job creation.
“The Coalition are choosing to take Australia backwards,” Albanese told reporters Thursday morning. “They’re walking away from jobs for Australians and investment certainty for business.”
He added that the Opposition’s move showed they “fundamentally do not believe in the science of climate change” and warned Australians would pay the price for Coalition infighting on climate and energy policy.
Business and Expert Reactions
Climate Change Authority chair and former NSW Liberal treasurer Matt Kean expressed disappointment with the decision.
“That’s hugely disappointing and not in the national interest,” Kean told ABC Radio. “In the case of ditching net zero, delay is just another form of denial selling.”
The move raises questions about how the Coalition will attract voters in urban seats where climate action remains a priority concern. It also creates uncertainty for businesses that have made long-term investment decisions based on Australia’s legislated emissions targets.
Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who signed Australia up to the Paris Agreement in 2015 but later urged governments to leave it, welcomed the approach. “You should never put cutting emissions ahead of saving jobs, keeping industries and trying to make people’s cost of living affordable,” he told Sky News.
Coalition Negotiations Ahead
While the Liberals have decided their position, they must now negotiate a unified stance with the Nationals. A joint partyroom meeting is scheduled for Sunday, where the political allies are expected to announce their final agreement.
The challenge lies in reconciling the Liberal policy with the Nationals’ position, particularly around remaining in the Paris Agreement, which requires signatories to progressively strengthen their climate commitments.
International Context
The decision makes Australia an outlier among major economies. According to the Climate Action Tracker, 145 countries have announced or are considering net-zero targets as of October 2025.
The Australian Government maintains its commitment to achieving net zero by 2050, with an interim target of 62 to 70 per cent emissions cuts by 2035 compared to 2005 levels. The Liberal policy shift effectively ends the bipartisan consensus that has supported long-term climate planning.
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Leadership Implications
The net zero debate has placed considerable pressure on Sussan Ley’s leadership, with speculation mounting about potential challenges from conservative MPs.
Sussan Ley, Leader of the Opposition, Member for Farrer
However, Western Sydney MP Melissa McIntosh insisted Ley’s position remained secure. “I’ve always backed the leader and I think yesterday was a testament to what she always said she would do and run through the process on important issues,” McIntosh said.
The coming days will test whether the policy announcement can unite the party or whether divisions over climate action continue to simmer beneath the surface.
