NSW Coalition splits over net zero as leadership challenge looms for Speakman

The NSW Liberal Party will continue supporting the 2050 emissions reduction target, while the Nationals have sided with their federal counterparts.

The NSW Liberal Party has committed to supporting net zero but the speculation about Mark Speakman’s leadership remains. Picture: Jonathan Ng

The NSW Coalition is at odds over net zero emissions, with the Liberal Party renewing their support for the target, while the Nationals remain aligned with their federal counterparts.

NSW Liberals have decided to continue backing the 2050 emissions target as their policy position, with one MP claiming “net zero isn’t the problem, it’s the Minns Government’s chaotic energy roll out”.

However, new Nationals leader Gurmesh Singh told reporters on Tuesday his party room remained committed to “in principle support for the federal Coalition’s cheaper, better, fairer energy plan”.

“What we are hearing out in regional areas is there are pensioners who can’t afford to have warm showers... businesses going broke at record rate because their energy bills have doubled...” Mr Singh claimed.

On Sunday, federal Coalition leaders Sussan Ley and David Littleproud outlined their alternative energy strategy, which included dropping Net Zero and more attention on new gas supply.

The Daily Telegraph revealed early this week that several Liberal MPs had been spooked by recent polling, based on federal data, which indicated major support for the 2050 target amongst Sydney voters.

The matter is expected to be aired out in the open in NSW Parliament at 5pm, with Labor MP Jo Haylen expected to move a “public interest debate” on the topic Net Zero.

There is growing speculation opposition leader Mark Speakman is also facing a leadership challenge in the coming days, although MPs insist it remains “only a possibility”.

Liberal Party powerbrokers have spent the last week assessing potential replacements for Mr Speakman, with the party’s moderate faction pitching Kellie Sloane and the right-faction throwing support behind Alister Henskens.

It’s understood Mr Speakman is now only maintaining the top job due to factional infighting, as both the moderates and right scuffle over which side should claim the leadership.

Vaucluse MP Ms Sloane is understood to have the numbers to win a leadership spill, but she has been reluctant to make a move against her factional ally thus far. MPs from the right have been pushing Wahroonga MP Mr Henskens.

Mr Henskens would need to win the support of the centre-right faction or some members of the dominant moderates in order to win a leadership challenge.

“It also depends on the other leadership positions in both houses and how they fall, including if Natalie Ward remains as deputy,” one senior Liberal source said.

“But one thing is clear, Mark (Speakman) has no numbers.”

Alister Henskens. Picture: Supplied

Kellie Sloane. Picture: Gaye Gerard

Another noted that while there had been “ridiculous speculation for months”, the odds of a spill motion during the final sitting week remained “only a possibility”.

Mr Speakman paid tribute to the outgoing Mr Saunders, saying he had “valued very much his steady, collegiate and constructive council and diligence” during their time as both party leaders and ministers.

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Originally published as NSW Coalition splits over net zero as leadership challenge looms for Speakman