Sussan Ley and Mark Speakman at odds over net zero path

While Sussan Ley and David Littleproud outlined their major alternative energy plan, the NSW Liberals are almost certain to continue supporting net zero by 2050 after a meeting this week.

The presentation, delivered to a group of roughly 20 MPs in state parliament on Thursday, also found 52 per cent of voters would only consider a party ready to govern if it had “credible climate policies”. Picture: Nikki Short

Sussan Ley and David Littleproud’s bold new energy strategy is at risk of being undermined by their political allies, with the NSW Liberals likely to maintain their support for net zero this week.

As the federal Coalition began their campaign to sell an alternative policy to the Australian people, which includes dumping net zero, The Daily Telegraph has confirmed a large number of state-based Liberal MPs remain in favour of the 2050 emissions reduction target.

The NSW division, led by Opposition Leader Mark Speakman, will debate its policy position on Tuesday morning during an extended party room meeting.

Compounding their discussion is the emergence of a new poll, presented to state MPs last week, showing the majority of voters in all but one of the Liberal-held seats were in favour of keeping net zero as a policy position.

Those in favour included North Shore, Vaucluse, Manly, Drummoyne, Ryde, Lane Cove, Davidson, Wahroonga, Epping, Winston Hills and Hornsby.

The presentation, delivered to a group of roughly 20 MPs in state parliament on Thursday, also found 52 per cent of voters would only consider a party ready to govern if it had “credible climate policies”.

While the results were based on federal polling data, one MP present believed it was “obvious proof” of why it would be “political suicide” to drop net zero.

“At the end of the day, some of us just want to keep our seat,” one Liberal said, pointing to a series of recent polls published by this masthead which have indicated the party’s blue-ribbon seats are at risk.

Another claimed net zero remained the “main reason” why the party had held onto affluent seats at the last state election, which had been forfeited at the federal poll to candidates from Climate 200.

“The feds are playing chess. We are playing checkers” a third MP said, insisting both could easily hold different policy positions.

Some of the YouGov polling presented to NSW Liberal MPs last week. The question was: The Liberals and Nationals are current debating whether to keep or drop their commitment to reducing emissions to net zero by 2050... do you think they should...?

Some of the YouGov polling presented to NSW Liberal MPs last week. The question was: ”The Liberals and Nationals are current debating whether to keep or drop their commitment to reducing emissions to net zero by 2050... do you think they should...”

Earlier this month The Saturday Telegraph revealed Liberal members from multiple branches on Sydney’s lower north shore had voted to call for Ms Ley to “repeal the recently legislated net zero targets”.

Others, however, have called out the “brazen timing of such a doomsday poll”, noting the survey had been presented just days before the party room was due to hold a major discussion on the issue.

“It was designed to scare the bedwetters - and it’s worked. At the end of the day it’s based on federal data and captured about 1500 people. We need a policy in the best interest of eight million NSW residents,” an MP said.

In Sydney on Sunday, the federal Coalition outlined its plan to unlock gas supply and use a “technology neutral approach” to decide which energy sources should be supported through government subsidies.

Leader of the opposition Sussan Ley at a Joint presser announcing the Coalition's joint position on net-zero and energy, Sydney CBD. Picture: Damian Shaw

“It is all about affordability and playing our part responsibly with emissions reductions,” Ms Ley told reporters.

Mr Speakman has gone to ground over the latest energy brawl, declining to respond to questions since he released a statement almost a week ago, simply saying the NSW Liberal Party “continues to support” net zero.

NSW Nationals leader Dugald Saunders has also declined to comment further since confirming his party room “agreed in principle with the federal Nationals’ cheaper, better and fairer (energy) plan”.

On Sunday night federal Nationals MP Michael McCormack whacked his NSW colleagues who were likely to continue supporting Net Zero.

“Those city Libs should actually get out to regional NSW. They should leave Macquarie Street. Leave their ivory towers” Mr McCormack told Sky News.

Mr Speakman’s position as leader meanwhile also remains the subject of growing speculation, which increased in some circles over the weekend.

Originally published as Sussan Ley and Mark Speakman at odds over net zero path