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The majority of the Liberals have actively spoken against keeping the party’s net-zero target during a party room debate in Canberra.
Liberal politicians returned from their electorates on Wednesday and descended upon Parliament House to thrash out their policy position during a five-hour debate.
A senior Liberal source revealed that 28 Liberal members opposed any reference to net zero in the party’s future policy.
SBS News understands 17 members championed the net-zero target, and the position of four members was unclear.
The position signifies a break in bipartisan support for net zero, which was first committed to by then prime minister Scott Morrison and legislated by Anthony Albanese in 2022.
As attendees departed the meeting, most kept their comments brief, but western Sydney MP Melissa McIntosh shared with the ABC that there was a sense of unity among those present.
Conservatives within the party, many of whom have been vocal about axing the position commitment, presented a united front as they arrived at midday.
Senator Sarah Henderson led the pack, flanked by axed frontbencher Jacinta Nampijinpa Price and followed by Liberal leadership aspirants Andrew Hastie and Angus Taylor.
Party leader Sussan Ley has faced pressure to unite the conservatives and moderates divided over the issue.
She was accompanied by Tasmanian senator Richard Colbeck, another moderate, who carried a report from the Blueprint Institute titled “Winning back the Coalition’s missing middle.”
The Coalition is debating whether to scrap the net-zero by 2050 emissions target, complicated by the need to win back urban seats, with a larger portion of voters in those areas demanding action on climate change.
Many voters also see the net-zero issue as a proxy for action on climate change, leaving the Liberals in a difficult position after the Nationals dumped the policy earlier this month.
Among the Liberal figures who have recently voiced their opinions, there seems to be a shared agreement on staying committed to the Paris Agreement, mirroring the stance of the Nationals.
What’s next in net-zero talks?
The Liberal shadow ministry is expected to meet on Thursday to finalise the party’s position on net zero and emissions reduction.
Liberal and National negotiators will then enter talks about the Coalition’s policy more broadly later in the week.
Nationals leader David Littleproud has nominated Senator Matt Canavan — a vocal advocate for the Coalition to dump net zero — as well as senators Ross Cadell and Susan McDonald.
It is unclear who will enter climate policy talks for the Liberals, although climate change and energy spokesperson Dan Tehan, who has lead a committee into the policy area, is expected to attend.
