Editorial: The ALP has committed to a sensible, responsible target for carbon emissions. But the Coalition is spurning bipartisanship in favour of political opportunism
At a minimum, Australia needs bipartisan agreement on the broad brushstrokes of climate policy so businesses can invest with confidence. That is why the Morrison government should consider closelyrather than use it to score political points.
The aspect of Mr Albanese’s speech that has exercised the Coalition most, however, is his pledge to set a target of zero net emissions by 2050. This commitment aims to ensure that any carbon gas pollution is offset by measures such as tree planting which soak up emissions from the atmosphere. The Coalition has not actually ruled out the net zero target but it says more work is needed on the costs of reaching that goal by 2050. Certainly, a more detailed plan and, eventually, costings will be important.
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'What a load of pig manure': Joyce and Fitzgibbon clash over Labor's climate target | Sky News AustraliaBarnaby Joyce and Joel Fitzgibbon have clashed over Labor’s proposed net zero emissions target by 2050. \n\nDuring an impromptu debate in the corridors of Parliament House on Monday, Mr Joyce ridiculed the Labor MP over his party’s plan to reach the controversial target. \n\nDetailing the plan, Mr Fitzgibbon said “we’re going to reach out to these organisations including BP, Santos, other oil and gas companies and say ‘now you’ve made a commitment to zero net emissions, how can a Labor government work with you to help you meet your aspirations?’” \n\nMr Joyce responded, saying 'what a load of rubbish, what an absolute load of pig manure”. \n\n“He’s going to reach out to you, he’s going to reach out to the coal mines and say ‘don’t worry fellas, we’re reaching out to you and saying you’re going to lose your job’” he said. \n\n“Reaching out, is that how you’re going to do it?” \n\nImage: News Corp Australia
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Albanese 'has to maintain the fear' for his 'climate gamble to pay off' | Sky News AustraliaSky News host Rowan Dean says Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese has “rolled the dice on the ultimate political gamble,” following the announcement of Labor’s target of net-zero emissions by 2050.\n\nMr Dean said the Labor leader “has tied his future and the future of the once proud Labor Party, not to economic prosperity, not to helping the disadvantaged, not to improving the health of the elderly and the poor”. \n\n“Not to raising the education standards of our schools so that those being born today can look forward to competing and beating those overseas kids who are desperate to steal their jobs, no, not one of those things”. \n\nInstead, Mr Dean said, “Albo has tied the future of the Labor Party to the weather”. \n\n“Bizarrely, for years the left has been adamant that climate and the weather are two very separate things … not anymore”. \n\nMr Dean said in order for this “gamble” to “pay-off” for Labor, Mr Albanese has to “maintain the fear” over climate change and emissions.\n
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Australia must hit net zero by 2050 to meet Paris: scientistsTop scientists say for Australia to honour the Paris Agreement and limit global warming to less than two degrees Celsius the country must reach net zero emission before 2050
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Labor's 'reckless' climate policy is not one of a 'party of government' | Sky News AustraliaLiberal Senator Zed Seselja says Labor’s 2050 net zero emissions target is the type of policy to be expected from a “minor party like the Greens, but not a party who claims to be a party of government”.\n\nIn contrast to Labor’s “reckless” policy announcement, the Liberal Party have opted against an emissions target beyond 2030, but instead have argued for a renewed focus on technology regarding climate policy.\n\n“We will set out our policies which will include a focus on technology,” he said.\n\nMr Seselja told Sky News host Sharri Markson you cannot “lead a nation in this policy area with just aspirational targets” which could have “very significant economic impacts”.\n\nImage: News Corp Australia
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