Nationals urge Peter Dutton to reconsider net zero policy following Trump re-election

Peter Dutton is facing pressure from Nationals MPs to reconsider the Coalition’s support for net zero by 2050, as the Labor plays down the significance of the world’s biggest economy likely pulling out of the Paris Agreement.

US president-elect Donald Trump and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton. Picture: AFP/Linda Higginson

Peter Dutton is facing pressure from Nationals MPs to revisit the Coalition’s support for net zero by 2050 after Donald Trump’s US election win, as the Albanese government plays down the significance of the world’s biggest economy likely pulling out of the Paris Agreement.

Nationals MPs Matt Canavan and Llew O’Brien are pushing for the Coalition to follow Mr Trump’s lead and vow to pull out of the international climate deal ahead of next year’s election, while fellow Coalition MPs Michelle Landry and Colin Boyce say there should be fresh discussions about the opposition’s commitment to the net-zero target given the implications of the US election.

Hinkler MP Keith Pitt said the pace of climate action should be slowed, while opposition veterans affairs spokesman Barnaby Joyce said “all facts need to be assessed if there are major changes”, although the former Nationals leader was quick to say the US’s formal position on Paris had not yet changed.

Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen said dumping the 2050 net-zero target would be “just about the biggest own goal you could think for our country”.

“Climate change and the need for renewable energy will continue around the planet and that is not going to change. And we’ll respond accordingly,” Mr Bowen said.

“But there is always going to be steps forward and steps back in international geopolitics when it comes to climate change. The government of Germany collapsed (last) week as well, they’re very key allies, partners of Australia’s transformation.”

Mr Bowen said there could be more global capital chasing Australian renewables projects under a Trump administration.

“If the United States changes their laws and makes it less capital-attractive for renewable energy investment, that investment is still going to occur, it just might not occur in the United States. I’m very happy for it to happen here,” he said.

“This transformation is so well under way. And in the United States … California and the other states have very clear and locked-in policies that aren’t going to change.

“California is a bigger economy than Australia is, so this is no small matter.”

Opposition climate change and energy spokesman Ted O’Brien rejected the push by Nationals MPs to reconsider net zero by 2050.

“The Coalition has always met and beaten our climate targets, and we remain committed to achieving net zero by 2050 – unlike Labor, under whom Australia’s emissions have risen and energy prices have soared,” Mr O’Brien said.

Senator Canavan said it would be good politics and economics for the Coalition to oppose net-zero emissions by 2050.

Matt Canavan is among Nationals MPs pushing for Peter Dutton to reconsider the Coalition’s support for net zero by 2050. Picture: NewsWire / Dylan Robinson

“People are desperate for leadership that focuses on Australia. There are a whole lot of people having a mental breakdown post Donald Trump being elected,” Senator Canavan said.

“But the main lesson is we just have to take care of ourselves. The global rules-based order is no more. It is dead, buried and cremated.”

Llew O’Brien said the Paris Agreement was “absolute madness”.

“We need to be taking advantage of what we have, and our advantage is coal and gas,” he said.

“My view is we should be getting out of (Paris), so within the ranks of the party that’s what I would be pushing for.”

Mr Boyce said there should be a “great debate” about whether Australia should remain a signatory to Paris.

“A whole lot of questions need to be asked in respect to all sides of politics on what the hell they think Australia is trying to achieve, given the fact the playing field has changed,” Mr Boyce said.

“If it was up to me, if I was king of the world, I would argue that Australia is achieving absolutely nothing except driving our manufacturing industry offshore and committing economic suicide doing so.”

Ms Landry said the election of Mr Trump presented an “opening for us to look at where our future is”.

“I think it is a discussion we need to have in the party room,” she said.

“I’m dead against these wind towers and solar fields. They are just wreaking havoc in regional Australia and causing us a lot of grief.

“There needs to be a total review of what is going on.”