Nationals demand Anthony Albanese reconsider human cost of safeguard mechanism

Anthony Albanese is celebrating a win on one of his major election promises. But one MP has raised concerns about its hidden cost to Aussies.

Australia’s pathway to net zero has been slammed for failing to consider the immediate cost to consumers.

The federal government confirmed it had secured the numbers to pass its plan to beef-up the safeguard mechanism through parliament this week.

But the Nationals, in a last-ditch effort to convince the government to water down the proposal, claim it fails to consider who is really “footing the bill”.

Mr Littleproud aired his frustration with the proposal. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

“This is going to feed through to every household. There is no way you can sugar coat this,” leader David Littleproud said.

“It’s not just at the grocery store. Just think about every time you’re going to get on a plane. Now you’re also going to pay more for your ticket.

“You're also going to pay once you get off that plane and you’re going to pay at the bowser as well, because the last two oil refineries in this country are also going to be caught up in this.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen secured the support of the Greens on Monday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

A key part of the plan to slash emissions by 43 per cent by 2030, the safeguard mechanism would require the nation’s largest polluters to reduce or offset emissions by 4.9 per cent each year by the next decade.

Following a deal with the Greens, the minister would have to consider the climate impacts of fossil fuel projects at the approval stage.

Leader Adam Bandt said the deal would put every new coal and gas project “squarely on Labor”.

Adam Bandt said new coal and gas projects would be ‘squarely’ on Labor’s shoulders. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

But Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen disputed the Greens claims that more than half of the 116 gas and coal projects would now be ruled out.

While the minor party lauded the agreement as a win, its treasury spokesman took to Twitter to lash out at those in the environment movement that undermined the Greens bargaining power.

We have been in negotiations with the corrupt, ecocidal government of a petro-state that was prepared to hold a gun to the head of future generations by threatening to blow up climate action unless they could continue to approve massive new coal and gas projects.

— Nick McKim (@NickMcKim) March 27, 2023

“For the Australian Conservation Foundation to urge us to walk away from our demand for no new coal and gas at a crucial time was nothing less than culpable,” Senator Nick McKim said.

The Tasmanian senator concluded by firing a shot across the bow: “For anyone who thinks the climate wars are over, think again. They have barely begun.”