On Wednesday, the Liberal Party of Australia will decide. They will face a make-or-break choice on whether to stand firm in support of their 2050 Net Zero emissions commitment. This meeting comes amidst rising internal debate, with some conservative members calling for a reevaluation of the party’s commitment to this environmental goal. Shadow Innovation Minister Andrew Bragg was adamant that we must not lose the moral high ground. To drop the Net Zero target would be “absolutely absurd,” he claimed.
Jane Hume, a prominent Liberal senator, expressed optimism about achieving consensus within the party regarding energy and climate policy. She noted that even members of the National Party recognize the necessity of adhering to international obligations related to Net Zero. Together, these two milestones will lay the groundwork for the next iteration of Australia’s energy policy. Public sentiment has moved dramatically towards strong action on climate change in recent years.
Internal Party Dynamics
The internal dynamics of the Liberal Party point to a deepening urgency to the climate conversation. Senator Andrew Bragg’s statement that Australians want the best tools to tackle climate change surely echoes the views of most of the party’s grassroots members. Karen Kovacic, director of the local Community Development Alliance, wholly embraced Bragg’s advocacy. She reiterated the need to focus on the public’s fears over increasing costs of energy associated with the move to Net Zero.
Hume also noted that there is fierce conservative pressure to renege on Net Zero pledges. On the ground though, among the Liberal party room, support for these goals is far from unanimous. She stated, “Even the Nationals believe in the need to maintain international obligations regarding Net Zero,” highlighting a broader acknowledgment of the issue across party lines.
The rhetoric that preceded Wednesday’s talk suggests the Liberal Party is in crisis mode. They must do so while reconciling their climate goals with their economic imperatives. Hume pointed out that while there is a consensus on pursuing Net Zero, there is recognition that “the challenge for Net Zero is that people do not want higher bills.” This latter dilemma complicates the creation of any coherent policy. It has an obligation to harmonize its ambitious environmental goals with the public’s concerns about energy costs.
The Road Ahead for Energy Policy
Our partner the Liberal Party is preparing for their most important meeting. Ideas and policy solutions abound and energy and climate policy are at the forefront of the national conversation. Hume’s vision for the future was audacious and wildly optimistic. In his op-ed, he echoed calls to lift the nuclear energy moratorium and pump investments into innovative technologies. She argues that without these steps, Australia will struggle to fulfil its climate obligations and deliver affordable energy to Australian customers.
The government is actively working on strategies to enhance its energy policy framework, with Net Zero being a central element. The recent report revealing that a quarter of Australians question the preference for democracy underscores the urgent need for political transparency and trust. Kovacic warned, “If we get these policies wrong, if we get the way we are articulating this to Australians wrong, then our ability to regain their trust will be further damaged.”
Our next meeting will be a time to rededicate ourselves to those promises. At the same time, it will proactively address public concerns on energy affordability and the need for climate progress. The better government movement seeks to restore faith in democratic processes. Specifically, they’re pushing for real-time disclosures and transparency for political donations related to Net Zero projects.
Public Sentiment and Political Trust
Public perception will be key to influencing policy conversations and building political support behind Net Zero. Our recent Trends report tells an alarming story. Almost one in ten Australians today support the use of violence toward political ends, a likely sign of their increasing anger towards the federal government’s efforts to address climate change.
The Liberal Party’s focus on climate change is representative of a larger trend in which the public is demanding more action on the issue. They are up against the odds in how they can communicate these policies. The anticipated social media ban for individuals under 16 years old, set to take effect on December 10, may serve as a tool for educating younger demographics about environmental issues, including Net Zero.
Bragg’s assertion that Australians want decisive action against climate change emphasizes the necessity for political leaders to align their strategies with public expectations. Only the Liberal Party’s internal debate on Wednesday will truly decide how they chart their course through these tricky political waters in the future.
