The news is in – the Liberal party has officially abandoned their commitment to net zero emissions. They have caved to the deniers and axed climate from their agenda.
It's another reminder that the Liberal party does not care about people being impacted by floods, by fires, or by any climate disasters. At a time when we need political leaders to make our world safer, the Liberals are committing to making it more dangerous.
As COP30 kicks off in Belém this week, the timing of this announcement seems even more out of touch, with nations from across the Global South demanding strong actions and commitments from those in wealthy countries like ours.
Any party that wants to govern in this country needs a credible plan to slash climate pollution and build the clean energy and industry we need.
Deciding to walk away from climate action will have long term electoral implications for the Liberals.
Just last week, new polling was released showing that despite widespread and sustained disinformation campaigns, public support for renewable energy remains strong, with over 60% of people in renewable energy regions supporting the shift.
Poll after poll consistently shows that renewable energy and climate action is popular across the political spectrum.
Even if the Liberal party cannot get elected on a fringe, hard right platform they can still do damage in our communities by spreading lies and poisoning public debate. That is why we must all keep talking about climate change and hold politicians to account.
WHAT WE DO NEXT MATTERS
Right now, big changes to Australia’s nature laws are going through Parliament.
The Coalition’s rejection of climate action confirms they cannot be trusted on nature – Labor now has the opportunity to work with The Greens to deliver a nature bill that truly protects Australia’s incredible biodiversity and wild places.
Australia needs strong nature laws – will you take action?
Sign our letter to the federal environment minister urging him to strengthen the legislation that has been tabled in parliament. To have the legislation adopted by parliament the government needs support from either The Greens or the Coalition. Fresh after their announcement that they will walk away from climatecommitments, it is very difficult to believe that any legislation supported by the Liberals and Nationals will be good for protecting nature.
It is essential that the federal ALP work with The Greens to strengthen and deliver the proposed laws.