All eyes on Australia’s debate over net zero emissions by 2050

A contentious target has prompted Scott Morrison to pit Australians against each other, the opposition claims.

Scott Morrison is attempting to divide Australians over climate policies, opposition energy spokesman Chris Bowen says.

Pressure is again mounting on the Prime Minister to commit to a net zero carbon emissions target ahead of US President Joe Biden’s climate summit later this week.

Mr Morrison says his aim is to establish a net zero economy “as quickly as possible and preferably by 2050”.

But he took a swing at inner-city lefties in a speech at the Business Council of Australia on Monday night.

“We’re not going to achieve net zero in the cafes, dinner parties and wine bars of our inner cities,” Mr Morrison said.

“It will be won in places like the Pilbara, the Hunter, Gladstone, Portland, Whyalla, Bell Bay, the Riverina ... in the factories of our regional towns and outer suburbs.”

Scott Morrison says he has confidence in his government’s plan to achieve net zero by 2050. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dylan Coker

Mr Bowen on Tuesday slammed Mr Morrison for dividing Australians between so-called inner city elites and regional Australians, saying the distinction was “offensive”.

“Again pitting Australians against each other in cynical, cheap, identity politics,” Mr Bowen said.

“We want to bring Australians together. Every Australian has a stake in the future regardless of whether they live in the city, the suburbs or the regions.”

He said thousands of jobs would be created under investment in a renewable, green economy.

“We are going to make electric cars cheaper for families and cut household bills and emissions with community batteries,” Mr Bowen said.

“These are some of our first steps to grow jobs, cut bills and cut emissions – but they won’t be our last.”

Mr Bowen said Labor would release a road map to achieve net zero by 2050, adding it would include 2030 and 2035 targets “well before the next election”.

Chris Bowen and Anthony Albanese alongside an electric car. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

But Nationals senator Matt Canavan said Australia did not have the technology to achieve net zero emissions, which he said would lead to mass job losses in the cattle industry, manufacturing sector, power stations and coal mines.

“I don’t want to see that in regional Australia, and I don’t think that is the right strategy,” Senator Canavan told Sky News.

“These things produce thousands of jobs, and they do require the emitting of carbon emissions.”

Senator Canavan said the only winner would be China because they were not going to “sacrifice their own growth” and development to achieve their 2060 net zero emissions target.

“China will keep on emitting … despite their lip service to net zero emissions,” he said.