US Election: Labor’s Right demands pro-gas

Joel Fitzgibbon has slammed ‘delusional’ Left faction MPs for using Joe Biden’s US election victory as a clarion call for ‘courageous’ climate change policies.

‘This idea that a Biden victory is a vindication of all those who want to set Australia on a path to slower economic growth and large job losses is delusional’: Joel Fitzgibbon. Picture: Milan Scepanovic

Labor’s dominant Right faction will demand pro-gas and coal amendments to the party’s policy platform, as Joel Fitzgibbon slams “delusional” Left faction MPs for using Joe Biden’s US election victory as a clarion call for “courageous” climate change policies.

With Anthony Albanese framing Scott Morrison as a ­global outlier for failing to adopt a target of net zero emissions by 2050, The Australian has been leaked proposed amendments to Labor’s draft policy platform ­endorsed by Right-faction unions, including the Australian Workers Union, the Health Services Union, the United Services Union, the Australian Services Union and the Shop, Distributive and Allied ­Employees Association.

The document, sent to Labor Right MPs last week, outlines the faction’s support for acknowledging a “sensible transition to net-zero emissions involves a bigger role for gas and hydropower”.

“It is important to reject the false choice between resources and renewables and acknowledge the role of gas in firming and expanding renewable energy use,” the document says.

It also declares resources, including coal, iron ore, bauxite and copper, must be “further developed for the overall economic benefit of the Australian people”.

The 99-page draft policy platform, revealed by The Australian in September, did not reference the coal industry.

Mr Fitzgibbon, the convener of the Right faction in federal caucus, hit out at his left-wing federal colleagues, including frontbenchers Mark Butler, Pat Conroy and Andrew Giles, for linking Mr Biden’s victory to ­climate change policies.

Mr Biden went to the election promising to rejoin the Paris Agreement, hit net zero emissions “no later than 2050” and an emissions-neutral electricity sector by 2035.

“It’s amazing that at a time of economic crisis, significant geopolitical instability, trade uncertainty and democratic fragility, the political left has declared Biden’s commitment to a carbon target in 30 years time as the most significant consequence of the election result,” Mr Fitzgibbon told The Australian.

“The US return to Paris is both welcome and important. But this idea that a Biden victory is a vindication of all those who want to set Australia on a path to slower economic growth and large job losses is delusional.

“Morrison should commit to net zero emissions and take more action. But what will bring real results is unity of purpose, the theme of Biden’s victory speech.”

Mr Butler, a rival to Mr Fitzgibbon on climate and energy policies since last year’s federal election, said Mr Biden won on the “most ambitious climate and energy platform we’ve seen in the US”. “Your result shows a strong, courageous climate and jobs ­policy is not just the right thing to do — it wins elections,” Mr Butler tweeted.

Mr Conroy, from the NSW Left, said the Morrison government’s 2030 target was “inadequate” and risked “exposing Australia to carbon tariffs”.

Mr Giles, from the Victorian Left, said Mr Biden’s victory was about “character and climate”.