Nationals urged to dump net zero, back nuclear power

November 1, 2025 03:30 | News

Party faithful are urging the Nationals to dump a commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050 and withdraw from a global climate treaty.

A federal council meeting will be held in Canberra on Saturday, with the rural party to outline its policy vision.

Motions to be debated include bids to scrap the key climate target and withdraw from the Paris climate agreement.

Power lines in Canberra
The net-zero emissions target remains a key sticking point within the coalition. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

They call on the National Party to “abandon its support for a net-zero mandate” while backing a policy framework that allows emissions reductions.

This would be done by protecting key industries such as mining, agriculture and manufacturing through a “balanced” energy mix of coal, gas and renewable energy sources.

Giving the motion the green light would see the Nationals retain a commitment to nuclear energy and support lifting the nationwide ban on nuclear power introduced in 1998.

Adopting the policy would keep the Nationals “opposed to the current punitive industry and job-destroying taxes of the Albanese Labor government”.

Under the Paris Agreement, signed in 2015, members must increase their emissions targets every five years and cannot water them down.

By stepping away from the agreement, national control would be restored over emissions targets and energy policy by ensuring access to affordable and reliable energy for Australians, the motion reads.

The net-zero target has remained a key sticking point within the coalition as the Liberal Party undertakes an energy policy review following the disastrous May election defeat.

But its own commitment is in doubt following a meeting of Liberal backbenchers at Parliament House on Friday.

Shadow Minister for Energy Dan Tehan
The Liberals are still finalising their position, Opposition energy spokesman Dan Tehan says. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

Opposition energy spokesman Dan Tehan said the Liberals were likely to finalise their position six to nine months after the federal election, meaning a decision would likely come between November and January.

Liberal leader Sussan Ley said the coalition’s energy policy would not simply prioritise an emissions target.

“As I have said from the beginning … we’re not going to accept the government’s net zero at any cost,” she said on Friday.

Speaking from South Korea, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government was getting on with the transition to net zero unperturbed by coalition ructions.

“I’ll allow people to watch that circus and to make their own decisions,” he told reporters.

AAP News

Australian Associated Press is the beating heart of Australian news. AAP is Australia’s only independent national newswire and has been delivering accurate, reliable and fast news content to the media industry, government and corporate sector for 85 years. We keep Australia informed.

Latest stories from our writers

Don't pay so you can read it. Pay so everyone can!

Don't pay so you can read it.
Pay so everyone can!

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This