Net zero that embraces ‘coal, gas, red meat’ on Coalition agenda

Net Zero is expected to be the major topic at “huge” party room meetings this week, as the Coalition looks for ways to reach the emissions target while keeping “coal, gas and red meat’ in the mix.

A Net Zero emissions target that still embraces “coal, gas and red meat” could be backed by cautious backbenchers, while Prime Minister Scott Morrison says his government ”will come together on this issue”.

There is expected to be ”huge” party room meetings next week as the Coalition meet in person for the first time in six weeks, while Mr Morrison and Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce continue to thrash out a deal on climate change.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the government will come together on climate change. Picture: Gary Ramage / NCA NewsWire

Some LNP MPs, who have not been supportive of the government‘s expected shift to embrace the emissions reduction target, have been buoyed by Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister Angus Taylor saying carbon capture and storage as well as gas generation should form part of the solution.

Groom MP Garth Hamilton said while not yet convinced, it was encouraging to hear.

“This is net zero with coal, with gas and with red meat. It means I can still go out and look my coal miners in the eye,” he said.

“We need to be clear with ourselves and with the public about why we’re doing this.

“What I want to hear is that we are sticking to our convictions of small government, market-based decision making and not subsidising the problem.”

But there remains strong opposition, particularly within the National party, with Queensland Senator Matt Canavan remaining one of the most vocal critics.

Mr Morrison said his government would “come together on this issue” but specified there would by “big opportunities” for regional Australia as he seeks to bring the junior Coalition party on board.

“The world is moving into a new energy economy. We all know that,” he said.

“It is now a question of how, not if, how we can ensure that those communities right across rural and regional Australia can look at this change and understand that there are big opportunities and there is a way through.”

Opposition leader Anthony Albanese says the Coalition Government can’t be trusted on climate change. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Opposition leader Anthony Albanese said net zero was an opportunity to create jobs, but that the Coalition Government could not be trusted on the issue.

“Even if they belatedly, after they’ve negotiated between themselves, come up with net zero by 2050 prior to Glasgow, it won’t mean much,” Mr Albanese said.

“We’ve consistently said is that the climate crisis is Australia’s jobs opportunity. That we can be a renewable energy superpower for the world. But in order to do that, it requires government leadership.”