Nationals Senator Matt Canavan says manufacturing and China are bigger issues than net zero by 2050
Domestic manufacturing and China’s ‘rising aggression’ should be prioritised over a 2050 net zero emissions target, a Nationals Senator says.
A net zero emissions by 2050 target is the “wrong priority” for the federal government right now, Nationals backbencher Matt Canavan has warned.
The criticism follows Scott Morrison declaring his goal is to reach net zero carbon emissions “as soon as possible” using technology and not taxes.
A coal advocate, Senator Canavan said Australia should be ramping up domestic manufacturing because the nation was now making less goods than it was in 2010.
“There’s way too much focus on what might or might not happen in 30 years time,” Senator Canavan told Sky News.
“When I think about what the biggest challenge for my kids is going to be in their generation, I think it’s the rising aggression of the Chinese Communist Party in our region.
“Not carbon neutrality by 2050.”
The prime minister told the National Press Club on Monday it was his preference that Australia reached net zero emissions by 2050.
However, Mr Morrison confirmed he would not commit to the target until he knew how Australia would achieve it.
“If you don’t get there by technology, you get there by taxes, and I will not make Australians pay higher taxes to get to net zero,” he said.
The remarks were slammed by opposition leader Anthony Albanese who recalled the government declaring Labor’s commitment to net zero emissions by 2050 would have “catastrophic economic consequences”.
“All of that is nonsense,” Mr Albanese said.
“Moving to net zero emissions by 2050 will create jobs.”
Finance Minister Simon Birmingham told Sky News Australia the government hoped technological changes would achieve the net zero emissions goal by 2050.
“We are investing through our technology road map in the changes that are necessary,” Senator Birmingham said.
The government has come under pressure to sign up to the 2050 target following US President Joe Biden’s election commitment.
Senator Birmingham said the government was seeking to partner with the new administration to reduce emissions using technology.
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