There’s a lull in national politics as Barnaby Joyce and the Nationals decide whether to back a net zero carbon emissions policy by 2050 and give Scott Morrison a free flight to the Glasgow global climate change conference.
Everyone, even Anthony Albanese, is assuming there will at least be majority Coalition support for the long-deferred 2050 zero target that has been the great difference between the ALP and Coalition for years.
The Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister are using the hiatus to dampen opposition, prepare practical and political strategies, rehearse arguments and deflect pressure to Labor.
The Opposition Leader’s intent is to maximise focus on the Coalition differences and dissent, to set the climate change bar even higher and continue to talk about Australia as a “pariah” on the international stage.
Having ceded there will be a Morrison government commitment to 2050, Albanese is working to diminish the achievement by saying it’s too late, the process has been chaotic, the Nationals are deciding policy and not the PM, it doesn’t address the interim 2030 targets and, most of all, will not be legislated.
After two days of concentrated parliamentary attack, Labor’s success still hinges on a Nationals’ revolt including a refusal to change the existing Paris 2030 agreed emissions cuts and to pass the Glasgow agreement into law.
Morrison’s response is to argue that results matter more than “politicians’ words” and he will be able to tell the world in Glasgow that Australia met its agreed targets for the Kyoto I and II agreements, will “meet and beat” its Paris agreements and will have a plan to meet the Glasgow 2050 targets.
What’s more, Morrison argues that unlike so many nations that have made public commitments, Australia meets its undertakings, doesn’t have to legislate and can do so with falling carbon emissions and rising jobs.
A blusterless Barnaby denies there is “pantomime” in the Nationals’ deliberations, categorically rules out change to the 2030 targets that would mean commensurate policy adjustments and vows to look after the regions, reeling off towns like the “I’ve been everywhere, man” song.
No change to 2030 is a price Morrison is prepared to pay for a 2050 commitment as he demands of Albanese what will Labor’s plan be for 2030?
It might be a lull in politics but its not dull politics.
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