The majority of Liberals actively spoke out against maintaining the party’s net zero target during a party chamber debate in Canberra.
Liberal politicians returned from their electorates on Wednesday and descended on Parliament House to put forward their policy positions in a five-hour debate.
A leading Liberal source revealed that 28 Liberal members opposed any reference to net zero in the party’s future policy.
SBS News understands that 17 members were in favor of the net zero target, and that the position of four members was unclear.
The position represents a break in bipartisan support for net zero, which was first pledged by then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison and legislated in 2022 by Anthony Albanese.
While many were tight-lipped as they left the party room, Western Sydney MP Melissa McIntosh told the ABC “there was consistency in the room”.
Conservatives within the party, many of whom have spoken out about abolishing the position requirement, presented a united front upon their arrival around noon.
Senator Sarah Henderson led the pack, flanked by former frontbencher Jacinta Nampijinpa Price and followed by Liberal leadership aspirants Andrew Hastie and Angus Taylor.
Party leader Sussan Ley is under pressure to unite conservatives and moderates who are divided over the issue.
She entered the party room with Tasmanian Senator Richard Colbeck, also a moderate, who was holding a Blueprint Institute report entitled “Reclaiming the Coalition’s Missing Middle”.
The coalition is debating whether to scrap the 2050 net-zero emissions target, complicated by the need to win back urban seats, with a larger share of voters in those areas demanding action on climate change.
Many voters also see the net zero issue as a benchmark for action on climate change, putting the Liberals in a difficult position after the Nationals ditched the policy earlier this month.
Among the Liberal politicians who have risen to prominence in recent weeks, there appears to be a consensus on retaining the Paris Agreement, echoing the Nationals’ position.
What’s next in the net-zero talks?
The Liberal shadow ministry is expected to meet on Thursday to finalize the party’s position on net zero and emissions reductions.
Liberal and National negotiators will hold broader talks on the coalition’s policies later this week.
Nationals leader David Littleproud has nominated Senator Matt Canavan – a Coalition advocate for ditching net zero – as well as Senators Ross Cadell and Susan McDonald.
It is unclear who will lead the climate talks for the Liberals, although climate change and energy spokesman Dan Tehan, who has led a committee on the policy area, is expected to attend.
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