NSW Nationals dump net zero emissions by 2050

The NSW Nationals have sensationally voted to dump the commitment for a net zero target by 2050, putting more pressure on the fragile federal Liberal-National Coalition.

The NSW Nationals have voted to abandon their commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050 in a move that will now put pressure on the Liberals.

The motion was placed on the agenda by the Tweed state electorate council, with party members gathered at the state conference in Coffs Harbour this weekend voting overwhelmingly in favour of dumping the commitment.

One member said the motion passed “with applause”.

Party members have been at war over the target since they committed to it in 2021.

The vote will also not only put pressure on the NSW Liberals but also the federal Nationals, with leader David Littleproud so far sticking with the target.

The move by NSW Nationals puts more pressure on the fragile reunion between Sussan Ley’s federal Liberal Party and David Littleproud’s federal Nationals.

It will also create another headache for Coalition leader Sussan Ley, who has only just managed to reunite the team after its sensational divorce.

Asked to respond to the vote, NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said the target remained the Coalition policy.

“In 2016 the previous NSW Coalition government adopted a net-zero by 2050 target for NSW,” he said.

“That remains our policy, with the bipartisan NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap adopted under our government to help achieve it.

“In government we also adopted interim 2030 and 2035 targets for NSW. Subsequently in opposition we voted to support legislating those interim targets.”

A spokesman for NSW Nationals leader Dugald Saunders said the federal and state parliamentary teams will “consider the motion” in addition with “all the other motions proposed by the party’s grassroots members”.