Coalition showdown on net zero looms amid speculation more MPs could quit over policy | Coalition

Coalition backbenchers are bracing for a showdown over net zero as pressure mounts on Sussan Ley’s opposition to resolve its position, with speculation more MPs could join Barnaby Joyce in resigning if the policy is not scrapped.

Liberal and National MPs have been invited to stay in Canberra after the next sitting week for a three-hour closed-door debate on energy policy, including net zero by 2050.

Guardian Australia understands most National MPs will be unable to attend next Friday’s meeting due to a scheduling conflict.

The meeting is not designed to settle a final position, but rather to give backbenchers the opportunity to make their case for or against maintaining a target initially agreed under the leadership of Joyce and Scott Morrison in 2021.

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A growing number of opposition MPs are frustrated that the “threshold question” of supporting or abandoning net zero remains unresolved more than five months after the federal election defeat.

Two internal reviews are examining the issue; one led by shadow energy minister Dan Tehan and a separate national inquiry.

The national review, co-led by anti-net zero campaigner Matt Canavan, would be completed before Christmas and would likely result in the party abandoning its commitment to the target.

This would appear to make it impossible for the Coalition to maintain net zero even if the Liberals wanted to, given that Ley needs the support of the Nationals to push through a policy through the shadow cabinet.

Canavan’s office declined to comment on the Nationals’ net zero investigation.

Senior Liberals believe a policy that maintains net zero – with caveats – could appeal to both Nationals fighting One Nation and metropolitan Liberals trying to regain a foothold in capital cities.

“THE [review] The process was important after our election defeat, but there is a growing feeling that we should resolve [net zero] sooner or later,” said Liberal senator and ardent supporter of carbon neutrality, Andrew McLachlan.

“The community wants us to have a strong and robust response to climate change. »

Nationals MP and former leader Michael McCormack told Guardian Australia it was “pretty clear where the Nationals are going to go” – a reference to his expectation that the National party would move away from this policy.

McCormack said while it was reasonable for the opposition to take its time developing policies, the sooner the net zero issue was resolved the better.

“We’re hemorrhaging right now and it looks very, very messy,” he said.

Tehan will participate in next Friday’s meeting, which will last three hours and give each MP the opportunity to express their views on climate and energy policy, according to an invitation distributed on Friday.

“To attend this meeting, you will need to stay in Canberra on Friday to listen to the views of your colleagues and share your own,” the invitation states.

The meeting is organized by the Coalition’s economic policy committee, whose organizers Jane Hume and Simon Kennedy both support net zero.

Joyce cited the Nationals’ current stance in favor of net zero among the reasons he left the party, as well as an irreparable breakdown in his relationship with leader David Littleproud.

On Monday, the former deputy prime minister confirmed he had spoken to One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, but said “nothing was locked in” amid speculation he was set to join the far-right party, possibly to run for the Senate in the next election.

Hanson’s office declined to comment when contacted Monday.

The Australian reported that Nationals MP Llew O’Brien – a close ally of Joyce – would also consider resigning if the National party reiterated its commitment to net zero.

Canavan, another long-time Joyce ally, has ruled out switching parties.

“It’s Nats or bust for me. I will continue to fight hard against the net zero scam but I will not join any other party,” Canavan posted on social media.

Liberal MP Garth Hamilton, one of many Liberals publicly opposed to carbon neutrality, said he would not resign even if the Coalition reiterated its commitment to the project.

“I’m staying in the tent,” he said. “[But] I believe my argument will prevail.

Another Liberal MP, who expects the Coalition to eventually agree to a net zero emissions policy “under conditions”, said the opposition did not need to rush to take a position.

“We are lacking credibility at the moment. We need to rebuild that credibility by highlighting the weaknesses in the government’s approach. When people see this, they will be more sensitive to the alternative,” the MP said.