New image shows Coalition divided on Net Zero

On Tuesday afternoon, the Minns Government moved a motion in support of Net Zero and opposing calls to slow down renewable energy projects. The Liberal and National parties split their votes.

Coffs Harbour MP Gurmesh Sing is the new leader of the Nationals. Picture: Gaye Gerard

A snap motion by the Minns Government to declare support for net zero has divided the Coalition, resulting in Liberal MPs voting with their Labor rivals.

On Tuesday afternoon Labor moved a motion renewing support for the 2050 emissions target and opposing calls to slow down renewable energy projects across the state.

The Liberals, including opposition leader Mark Speakman moved to the same side of the chamber as Labor MPs during deliberations.

Nationals MPs, including new leader Gurmesh Singh, remained on the opposite side. The government easily passed the motion with 73 votes to 12.

It comes after Mr Singh told The Daily Telegraph the Coalition can still curate a shared energy policy, despite holding different positions on net zero.

While the NSW Liberals have renewed their support the 2050 emissions reduction target, the Nationals have backed their federal counterparts who will scrap net zero in favour of a “cheaper, better, fairer” proposal, which includes additional gas supply.

Left - Mark Speakman and Liberal MPs sitting with members of the Minns Government. Right - Nationals MPs remaining in opposition during a vote on Net Zero. Source: supplied

“Net zero is a very small component of the entire discussion,” Mr Singh told The Daily Telegraph during an interview in state parliament.

“We will have to have some discussions with the Liberal Party going forward. While we might have some differences of opinion, we will come together and have a really defined policy leading into the next election.”

On Tuesday, Mark Speakman and shadow energy minister James Griffin released a new statement confirming the NSW Liberals “remain committed to a target of net zero by 2050”. Mr Speakman has not held a press conference for several days, as speculation continues he is about to face a leadership challenge.

Mr Singh said regional communities had “done all the heavy lifting” so far on the energy transition: “This roll out has been bungled by this government. Communities which were once on board are no longer on board. They are being divided.”

He also flagged his general support for nuclear power: “I don’t think anyone thinks that we won’t have nuclear energy in 50 to 100 years times. Why aren’t we starting this conversation now?”

“Most countries would kill for the resources and levels of energy that we have stored here,” he said.

Mr Singh won an uncontested Nationals leadership ballot on Tuesday morning following the sudden resignation of Dugald Saunders, who had been in the top job since May 2023.

The new leader declined to elaborate on Mr Saunders’ departure, telling reporters: “It was all very sudden”.

“Obviously he’s left for some family reasons and I won’t be making too many more comments on that,” Mr Singh claimed.

NSW Nationals leader Gurmesh Singh at state parliament on Tuesday. Picture: Richard Dobson

Mr Singh’s great-grandfather came to Australia in 1894. After the Second World War, the family settled permanently in Woolgoola, north of Coffs Harbour, where they have been ever since.

Mr Singh attended university in Sydney and held jobs in advertising and software before returning to work on the family farm, growing macadamias and berries. He also set up a highly successful farming co-operative business.

He became the MP for Coffs Harbour in 2019, replacing Andrew Fraser.

“I understand what it’s like to work with farmers and know how to advocate for their best interests from a governance perspective” he said.

He identified youth crime, regional health and housing as his three largest priorities.

“We want to share the best of regional NSW, but in order to do that, people need homes. Otherwise the children who grow up in our towns and cities can’t afford to live there any longer,” Mr Singh said.

The new leadership team of the NSW Nationals - Deputy leader Kevin Anderson, upper house leader Sarah Mitchell and party leader Gurmesh Singh - arrive at state parliament on Tuesday. Picture: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

New deputy leader Kevin Anderson, the MP for Tamworth, told reporters on Tuesday the role was an “honour and privilege”.

“It is about taking the fight up to Labor. If we are going to win government, we need to do it in a manner that regional NSW are well represented,” Mr Anderson said.

Sarah Mitchell, who remains the party’s leader in the parliamentary upper house, added: “The fact that Gurmesh and Kevin were elected unopposed shows real unity in our party room.”

Do you have a story for The Daily Telegraph? Message 0481 056 618 or email [e-mail]

Originally published as New image shows Coalition divided on Net Zero