Anthony Albanese to set 2050 emissions goal without costings

Anthony Albanese has moved to commit Labor to a net-zero emissions by 2050 target without costings.

Penny Wong has attempted to reframe the cost debate away from emission reduction measures to the price of a changing climate. Picture: AAP

Penny Wong says the price of not acting on climate change is “20 times higher than if we act” as Anthony Albanese moves to commit Labor to a net-zero emissions by 2050 target without costings.

The opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman said Scott Morrison will not “front up to the cost of the path he is on” as she attempted to reframe the cost debate away from emission reduction measures to the price of a changing climate.

The Australian has confirmed shadow cabinet last month backed Climate Change Minister Mark Butler’s push for a net-zero emissions target with the Opposition Leader expected to confirm the policy on Friday.

Federal Labor leader Anthony Albanese. Picture: AAP

The policy was waved through shadow cabinet after a two-hour meeting where some senior figures raised concerns about committing to the target without modelling.

“I would say in relation to the net zero emissions target: this is the target the world has signed up to. This is the target Australia has signed up to,” Senator Wong told the ABC.

“Most importantly, we know that the cost of not acting to meet this target is far greater for Australia than the cost of acting. Some 20 times higher than it would be if we act. So we have a very big self-interest in making sure we take action on climate change as a nation towards a net zero emissions target that Australia and the world have signed up to.”

Shadow cabinet has also backed Mr Butler’s push for Labor to oppose the use of Kyoto carry-over credits to achieve Australia’s Paris targets. Labor will also oppose taxpayer funds for new coal-fired power stations.

The policy will make climate change as a key issue at yet another election as the Prime Minister is likely to adopt a “technology target” rather than a net-zero emissions commitment.

Bill Shorten stumbled on costing his 45 per cent 2030 emissions target during last year’s election campaign and he also did not have a price of the cost of policy inaction.

Labor is yet to commit to a medium-term target.

Energy Minister Angus Taylor said Labor has not learnt from its “climate policy mistake”.

“It’s a target without a strategy to get there, and a 2050 target is no substitute for a 2030 target,” Mr Taylor said.

“Anthony Albanese continues to follow Bill Shorten’s playbook, despite warnings from his own MPs that Labor’s policy will destroy jobs and push up prices for Australian families.

“Our position is clear — we won’t set new emissions reduction targets without being able to look Australians in the eye and tell them how we’ll get there and how much those policies will cost.”

Senator Wong warned electricity from new coal-fired power was “more expensive” than renewables.

“I don’t see and Labor doesn’t see any merit in new coal-fired power stations which are publicly subsidised because that’s the only way they’d get up, to deliver power that’s more expensive to Australian consumers,” Senator Wong said.

She also warned coal had become “the battleground on which the climate wars are being fought”.

“I don’t think it’s helpful because it becomes a discussion about are you for or against workers? Are you for or against climate change? And we need to get beyond this,” Senator Wong said.

“We need to get beyond ask the real questions as to how do we reduce our emissions and how do we get to the targets Australia has signed up to? How do we reduce the cost to Australians with the path we’re on?”

The Otis Group of pro-resources MPs was formed after the shadow meeting where the 2050 target was adopted.

The group’s co-convener, resources spokesman Joel Fitzgibbon, on Thursday morning stridently defended the coal mining sector despite voicing his opposition for subsidies for new coal generators.

“Many things drive me in politics but chief among them is my determination to create and maintain well-paid rural and regional Australia,” Mr Fitzgibbon told 2GB radio.

“The industries that underpin rural and regional Australia are the mining industries, the oil and gas industry and of course the agriculture sector

“We have got to back them in, we have got to make them sustainable, and we have got to give them a future.”