Coalition senator calls for pause on push for net-zero

Matt Canavan has made the call he says in the face of spiralling oil, gas, petrol and coal prices.

Former energy minister Matt Canavan. Picture: Getty Images

In the face of spiralling oil, gas, petrol and coal prices because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, former energy minister Matt Canavan has called for Australia to “pause” its plan for net-zero carbon emission by 2050.

As Boris Johnson puts pressure on Russian gas and oil, he has promised to produce an emergency energy statement and declared Britain must produce more of its own gas.

Senator Canavan is seeking to start a similar trend in Australia, arguing: “Additional production of coal, oil and gas is crucial to protect Australia’s, and the world’s, security. With our rich resources, Australia should help by producing more energy within the free world.

“The alternative is we become more reliant on the unfree world. We will not win a major confrontation with the ‘arc of autocracy’ if we continue to outsource our energy and manufacturing industries to them. We should adopt the suggestion of Boris Johnson, and pause our net-zero plans.

“The Labor Party’s net-zero plan would tax our remaining oil refiners and most of our gas producers. Such a policy would now only save Putin, not save the planet.

“Europe’s vulnerable state ... is a self-inflicted wound. Europe made a policy decision not to frack or drill for gas.

“This example highlights the dangerous hypocrisy of climate change rhetoric.

“The slogan is that Europe is kicking coal and gas to history! The reality is that they are ... shifting fossil fuel production to other countries.”