Prime Minister Scott Morrison today committed Australia to net zero emissions by 2050, but political opponents think the government is doing too little, too slowly.

The Government has called The Australian Way a “responsible, practical” plan that relied on technology, not taxes.

Priority technologies, enabled by the Plan, would reduce emissions by 85 per cent by 2050. Emerging technologies would take care of the rest.

Mr Morrison said no legislation or mandates would be attached to Australia’s net zero target.

Australia was on track to reduce emissions by up to 35 per cent by 2030, above its target of 26 to 28 per cent, the Government stated.

Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction, Angus Taylor MP, claimed Australia had reduced emissions by more than 20 per cent by 2005 – “faster than every other major commodity exporting nation” – while the economy grew by 45 per cent. Moreover, he said, Australia beat its Kyoto-era targets by 459 million tonnes, and expected to beat its 2030 Paris target by up to 343 million tonnes.

“Australia is now forecast to achieve a similar or greater reduction in per capita emissions by 2030 than many other major developed economies including Canada, the European Union, Japan, and the United States,” Mr Taylor said.

The Federal Government said it would not shut down coal or gas production or exports, or require displacement of productive agricultural land.

Instead, the plan would create 62,000 new regional jobs in mining and heavy industry.

“While emissions-intensive exports like coal and gas will face global headwinds in the long term, there will be demand for these exports for many years to come,” the plan states. “This gives Australia time to future-proof our economy and workforce, including establishing new industries like clean hydrogen production.”

Australia would become a leader in low emissions technologies. A $20 billion investment in low emissions technology by 2030 would lead to $80 billion private and public investment in clean hydrogen, ultra-low-cost solar, carbon capture and storage, and energy storage.

Keith Pitt (Nationals) was added to the Cabinet as Minister for Resources and Water – the fifth National politician in Cabinet.

Labor

“This is not a plan, it’s a scam,” said Alicia Payne MP, Member for Canberra.

“Scott Morrison’s press conference today was a re-announcement of existing Coalition policy. They won’t even legislate a Net-Zero target. There are no new medium-term targets.

“This ‘plan’ relies on technology that doesn’t even exist. There is no new investment, no new money. The only detail that’s new is that Keith Pitt, a climate denier, has been elevated to Cabinet.

“If Scott Morrison can think he can fool the Australian public into thinking he’s acting against climate change, he is dead wrong. Australians remember his attitude at the last election where he said: ‘Electric vehicles will end the weekend’. This is the same man who only a few years ago was waving around a lump of coal in the House of Representatives.

“Australians want real action on climate change and they won’t accept this non-policy,” Ms Payne said.

ACT Senator Katy Gallagher said: “After eight long years, Scott Morrison waited until the last minute to print a glossy brochure with no legislated targets, no modelling, and no answer to the public on how much it cost for him to land this deal with Barnaby Joyce.

“True to form, Scott Morrison has served up a whole lot of marketing with very few details on how he’ll actually deliver.”

The consequences of climate change were real, said David Smith MP, and Labor had always backed positive action, including a commitment to zero net carbon emissions by 2050.

“Anthony Albanese has already laid out the framework for how such action can also be good for jobs and the economy at a local and national level,” Mr Smith said.

“Scott Morrison’s net zero emissions plan announcement today is nothing more than a scam. Eight years in office, and all he has is a shiny pamphlet and a divided government.”

The Greens

“What the Prime Minister announced today is a fake plan to meet an unforgivably weak target in the face of an enormous crisis,” said Greens candidate Tim Hollo.

“Reaching ‘net zero’ in 2050 with creative accounting while increasing coal and gas and land clearing is a recipe for catastrophe.

“Our house is on fire, and Mr Morrison is suggesting we might start looking for the garden hose in 20 years, while in the meantime pouring fuel on the blaze.

“What’s particularly devastating is that we know what to do, and we know that acting with urgency and determination will make our lives better.

“A serious climate action plan would see a massive investment in high quality job creation across the regions and cities as we build 100 per cent renewable energy and renewable export industries in the next decade.

“A serious climate action plan would see us regenerating the land and bush to nurture more life, grow more food, and store carbon. A serious climate action plan would see us building better homes, designing more liveable cities, breathing cleaner air.

“But all of that would annoy the fossil fuel industry donors. So we will never see it from the Coalition, and Labor won’t go there unless they’re sharing power in the parliament with Greens and Independents, holding them to account.”

Canberra Liberals

Elizabeth Lee, leader of the Canberra Liberals, said her party’s stance on climate change remained very clear.

“We previously committed to net zero emissions by 2045 in a tripartisan approach in the Assembly, and our position has not changed.

“The Canberra Liberals have a strong commitment to protecting our local environment and support for Canberra to become a world leader in clean energy technology innovation through our world class universities and research institutions.”

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