Peter Dutton to support a tougher emissions reduction target as Liberals are warned not to be ‘weirdos’ on climate change

Under pressure from strategists and moderate MPs, Liberal Party leader Peter Dutton has flagged a significant change to its climate change position.

Liberal leader Peter Dutton wants Australia to go nuclear, and has dismissed the government’s legislation to enshrine a 43 per cent reduction target by 2030 in law as “a stunt”.

The Opposition Leader told his party room today that before the next election, the Coalition will develop a detailed policy position, which will include a consideration of nuclear energy options.

“It is high time that Australia had an honest and informed debate on the benefits and costs of nuclear energy,” said Mr Dutton.

“If we are serious about reducing emissions, while at the same time maintaining a strong economy and protecting our traditional industries, all technologies need to be on the table.

“Australia is already a nuclear nation. The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation has operated a nuclear research reactor at Lucas Heights for over 60 years. A national conversation about the potential of nuclear energy is the logical next step.”

The decision of the Coalition party room, which was expected, means Labor must rely on the Greens to secure passage of the legislation.

But in a significant olive branch to moderates, Mr Dutton told MPs there will be a new Liberal policy with a more aggressive reduction emissions plan before the next election.

It’s that prospect that many MPs now believe will avert the threat of moderate Liberal MPs Andrew Bragg, James Stevens and Bridget Archer crossing the floor.

“He said that there would be a new emissions target. Bit more ambitious, and that would be announced well in advance of the next election,’’ a Liberal source said.

Scott Morrison lost the 2022 election on a policy of net zero by 2050 and an “expectation” of a 35 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030.

At the last party room meeting, MPs were briefed by Liberal strategist and 2022 campaign director Andrew Hirst, who warned them the biggest factors in election loss were women and climate change.

“The research says that 67 per cent of voters think the Liberal Party are weirdos on climate change,’’ a Liberal MP told news.com.au.

“We are not modern anymore. One of the key drivers of that is climate change policy.”

Liberal leader Peter Dutton. Picture: Gary Ramage/NCA NewsWire

Scott Morrison during today’s party room meeting. Liberal strategists believe climate change was a factor in his election defeat. Picture: Gary Ramage/NCA NewsWire

Liberal sources said Mr Dutton’s pledge to lift the Liberals’ climate change target meant it was less likely moderates would cross the floor.

“James Stevens basically said he was prepared to cop this on proviso we have a proper policy,” one source said.

The vast majority of Liberal MPs were in agreement on the decision to oppose the government’s 43 per cent climate target, according to party sources.

The Greens are also holding talks in Canberra to settle their own position on the government’s climate legislation.

The party remains divided over whether to support the legislation, arguing it doesn’t go far enough. They are also pushing for a moratorium on new oil and gas developments.

Mr Dutton said that before the next election the Coalition would develop a detailed policy position which would include consideration of nuclear energy options.

The Opposition Leader has been flagging his support for a debate on small, modular reactors for some time.

“Australia should say a definite ‘No’ to old nuclear technologies but a conditional ‘Yes’ to new and emerging technologies such as small modular reactors,” he said in June.

“If we’re serious about reducing greenhouse gas emissions, we can’t simply ignore this zero emissions baseload technology.”

Climate Minister Chris Bowen insists Labor’s 43 per cent emissions reduction target for 2030 is a floor and not a ceiling.