Editorial: Middle-of-the-road Premier faces net-zero wedge
As the Coalition walks away from net-zero targets, Premier David Crisafulli finds himself at odds with his federal counterparts, writes the editor.
The federal Coalition’s decision to abandon net-zero targets – which it confirmed yesterday – presents a big threat to Premier David Crisafulli’s so-far-successful efforts to keep the Queensland’s LNP government in the middle of the road.
Apart from a couple of exceptions – most notably Health Minister Tim Nicholls’ decision to ignore a Supreme Court ruling and impose a ban on puberty blockers – Mr Crisafulli has done a good job avoiding anything smacking of culture wars.
But now the Premier finds himself at policy odds with his federal counterparts – the Queensland government continues to formally support a net zero emissions target by 2050.
More significantly though, the decisions by the federal Nationals and then the Sussan Ley-led Liberals highlights deep divisions within Coalition ranks, with moderate Liberals openly critical of the move.
There will no doubt be similar differences of opinion within the LNP, but, so far at least, there’s been no public airing of grievances.
Indeed, just a few weeks ago, Treasurer and Energy Minister David Janetzki unveiled a new Queensland Energy Road Map that, rather cleverly, seemed to satisfy both the conservatives and moderates within the LNP.
He decided to abandon specific renewable energy targets and specific timelines for shutting down the state’s ageing coal mines but held onto the net zero carbon emissions targets.
It was, he claimed, the middle ground, which would keep the lights on while also moving at a manageable pace towards a renewable energy future – all while keeping conservative LNP members onside.
Well, perhaps. Mr Janetzki’s new energy strategy sensibly put the kybosh on Labor’s previous open-slather approach to pushing renewables, whatever the cost.
Remember the Pioneer-Burdekin pumped hydro project, which the LNP killed off soon after winning office with claims its projected cost had soared to a possible $36bn, three times Labor’s original estimates.
But the government’s open-ended approach to the future of coal mines and their less-than-enthusiastic embrace of renewable projects has, according to critics, increased the uncertainty for would-be investors in Queensland’s energy future.
Recent revelations in The Courier-Mail that a campaign that led to the government’s axing of the $1bn Moonlight Range wind farm project near Rockhampton six months ago was spearheaded by an anti-renewables group using fake AI-generated sources in its official submission hasn’t helped instil confidence in the LNP’s claimed willingness to embrace renewables.
But still, making decisions about Australia’s energy future has never been just about the science, despite both sides’ claims to the contrary.
Politics plays a huge role. Planning Minister Jarrod Bleijie rules against a wind farm because the locals – that’s to say, voters – don’t want it. And federally, the Liberal Party decides it can live without a net zero commitment because it’s hoping that will appeal to conservative members of the community – again, voters.
For now, Mr Crisafulli seems to have got the balance right between an energy policy that might eventually deliver a net zero outcome while keeping conservative voters onside.
But as the recent civil war within the federal Coalition showed, the mood can change quickly, which makes sticking to the middle of the road even harder.
NEW DAWN FOR LEGEND
You can forgive Australia’s living legend Dawn Fraser for taking a bit of time for herself.
Fraser is more than a four-time gold medal winner and the first swimmer to defend an Olympic title twice – she’s a voice for athletes, a larrikin as comfortable chatting with the prime minister as the patrons at the front bar. Essentially, she is the godmother of Australian sport.
As we report today, Fraser has accepted a new position as co-patron of Sport Australia’s Hall of Fame, alongside former prime minister John Howard, after telling SAHOF chair John Bertrand that she thought it was time to step down as a director. “I’ve been on the board for so many years and I’m getting older, so I said to John ‘I think I’m going to retire’,” she said.
“I’m 88 years of age and you need someone younger on the board because the Hall of Fame is galloping and I can’t keep up with it.”
Last year, Australia held its breath after Fraser was injured in a fall on the driveway at home. Thankfully, she has recovered, but we can’t blame her for now wanting to pull back from her official commitments. For the medals, for the leadership, but mostly for being a wonderful person, we say: “Good on you, Dawnie!”
Responsibility for election comment is taken by Chris Jones, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details here
