Kate Chaney (Curtin, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to speak against the member for New England's bill to repeal Australia's net zero target. This bill, the Repeal Net Zero Bill 2025, is not just a backwards step; it's a reckless rejection of economic opportunities, of environmental responsibility and of political reality. Australia's commitment to net zero is both an obligation and an opportunity. It's our duty to future generations and our ticket to prosperity in a rapidly changing global economy. Walking away from net zero would be a betrayal of all Australians who want a stable environment and a future of abundance for our kids and grandkids.

The national climate risk assessment lays bare the risks that we face. Climate change is affecting our communities through extreme weather, our economy through disrupted supply chains and our environment through degraded ecosystems. The risks are escalating, and our response must match them. Our action on climate change must be ambitious, not only to meet our international obligations but to unlock the investment needed to build the industries of the future—renewables, critical minerals, green iron and clean manufacturing.

We have the best renewable resources in the world. We have the minerals the world needs. We have the engineering know-how and the workforce. What we lack, and what this bill threatens, is policy certainty. Investors are watching and businesses are ready, but they need a clear signal that Australia is serious about net zero. Even raising the idea of repealing our target does damage by sending the opposite message—that we are unreliable, unserious and unprepared. That's not just bad policy; it's bad politics as well.

Australians, including rural and regional Australians, support climate action. The last two elections have made that abundantly clear. There is no path back to government for the coalition that does not involve regaining ground in suburban and metropolitan seats—seats like mine, seats like those of my fellow crossbenchers and many marginal Labor seats as well. That path requires climate credibility. Reopening the net zero argument within the coalition paints Labor's timidity and lack of ambition as courageous innovation. This bill is a political own goal for the coalition. The coalition could be playing an important role in opposition by reaffirming its commitment to net zero, endorsing an ambitious 2035 target and accepting the economics. It could effectively hold the government to account on driving the clean energy transition in a way that's practical, cost-effective and focused on jobs and competitiveness.

The climate wars must end. The future is calling, and Australia has everything it needs to thrive in a net zero world, if only we choose to lead. Yet, across Australia, the Liberal and National parties show their desire to cling to the past. The WA Liberal Party's state council supported a motion to abandon our net zero target for 2050. In Queensland, the LNP has also voted to reject net zero. Although this bill has been put forward by the member for New England, who may or may not be part of the Nationals, it unfortunately signposts where the coalition is heading. The moderate Liberals were unable on drag their coalition colleagues to the centre under the Morrison government and paid the price. Still, it seems, the lesson has not been learned.

On ABC's Insiders yesterday we heard more about the coalition's so-called review of the net zero target. Senator Canavan couldn't answer a question about the cost of abandoning net zero, doesn't intend to do any modelling as part of the review and claimed, without any modelling or evidence, that the Treasury and so many other stakeholders lack credibility when they say that abandoning net zero will result in lower economic growth, reduced investment and higher energy prices. These stakeholders include the National Farmers' Federation, which supports the targets because farmers are on the front line of climate change. Now that the Nationals are taking a different view to the farmers, who are they representing? There are really only coal and gas companies left.

This does not bode well for the future prospects of the coalition or for the economic future of the country. Returning to the climate wars is economic sabotage and a political dead end. Businesses and investors are ready and willing to invest in the industries of the future, but they need policy certainty—not mixed messages coming from our politicians. The coalition as a whole must decide if it's in favour of Australia having a flourishing economic future on a livable planet or against it.

Net zero is not a burden but a blueprint for a better future. It's a framework for innovation, job creation, regional development and environmental stewardship. I urge the coalition and the House to reject this bill, reaffirm its commitment to net zero and help build a flourishing economic future on a livable planet.

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