Former Prime Minister Morrison, who originally set the net zero target with former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce, has now expressed that he no longer supports the 2050 deadline. This shift seemingly gives Opposition Leader Sussan Ley the green light to reconsider the party’s previous commitment.

“Net zero at any cost, on a fixed timetable, isn’t a policy—it’s merely ideology,” Morrison commented on the target he once staunchly advocated.

He noted that while there is increasing recognition that the 2050 deadline might be extended, this doesn’t equate to abandoning the pursuit of low and zero emissions technologies.

Morrison reflected that his stance in 2021 on achieving net zero was a “practical direction” rather than a strict mandate.

He emphasized that the climate change landscape has evolved significantly over the last four years, influencing his current perspective on the timeline and methods for reaching net zero.

Morrison said he still backed a net zero aspiration but relented on his previous view that the Coalition should legislate its way to a 2050 target.

“Post COVID, energy demand is rising with AI needs and private capital is being deployed at scale to solve the affordability, reliability and emissions challenge in a way we have not seen before,” Morrison added.

“In 2021 we were also facing a potential capital strike on Australia from OS investors as they responded to US policy under President Biden.

Morrison pointed to Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates’ recent change of approach to climate change. 

“Emissions projections have gone down, and with the right policies and investments, innovation will allow us to drive emissions down much further,” Gates wrote.

Morrison said Gates continues to be “relevant” in the conversation around climate policy.

“It’s common sense to ensure our policy settings are right and practical for the world as it is, not as it was or what you would like to pretend it is,” Morrison added in his post.

“That’s where you find the national interest.”

Morrison unveiled Australia’s plan to reach net zero emissions almost exactly four years ago.

He said the plan would focus on “technologies not taxes” and will include both Australians in cities and the regions.

“We knew you could not legislate or tax the world to lower emissions,” Morrison added in his post.

“Private capital not politics was always going to be the answer. This remains the sensible approach.”

There has been division among Coalition ranks over the feasibility of net zero by 2050.

Joyce and Nationals MP Michael McCormack have jointly backed a private member bill to repeal net zero.

In July, Joyce – who has since snubbed the Nationals over its net zero position – described the climate policy as a “lunatic crusade”.

Shadow education minister Jonno Duniam warned many would leave the frontbench if Ley supports the target,

Ley said she would review the party’s climate policy after its historic defeat at the May federal election.