Nationals MP Keith Pitt says the Coalition “should consider all options” when deciding its climate policy for the next election, including possibly abandoning the goal of net zero emissions of 2050.
Speaking on ABC Radio National earlier, the former resources minister was pressed on whether the net zero target, that Scott Morrison’s government committed to in 2021 amid intense scrutiny of the Coalition’s climate policy, should be ditched.
Keith Pitt.Credit: James Brickwood
“I think we should consider all options, as I’ve said,” Pitt responded.
“Now, it’s already signed up. The Coalition will always put forward sensible and measured policies. But what we’ve seen over a long period of time now is this placard waving on targets and numbers.”
Pitt’s call to reconsider the net zero aim exemplifies lingering division within the Coalition on climate policy as Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has said he was committed to the net-zero by 2050 target. Dutton has been attacked this week for refusing to commit to a 2030 target to cut greenhouse gas emissions until after the next federal election.
This morning on ABC Radio, Pitt, who is on the opposition backbench, claimed some emissions reduction targets were “nonsensical”, pointing to the Queensland government’s goal to reduce emissions by 75 per cent by 2035. He then suggested Australia should therefore reconsider its policies and targets given the small contribution the country makes to global emissions.
“You’re throwing in a marble at a mountain,” Pitt said.
“And once you accept that reality, then you need to look at what the process is, how much it costs, and who’s paying, and how you intend to do it, and the damage it might cause to the economy.”
Pitt admitted the Coalition’s plan to introduce nuclear power, if elected, would be “a challenging policy” but said the party would consult widely with the community and backed the technology’s use for Australia.
Source Agencies
