Murray Watt claims Queensland will follow Sussan Ley and ditch net zero by 2050
“Like senior members of the LNP, including Queensland Senator Matt Canavan and his mentor Barnaby Joyce, who direct the policy direction of first the National Party and now the Liberal Party and Coalition.
“Liberals’ humiliating handing over of climate and energy policy to these anti-renewability fanatics who are still debating whether climate change is real is like putting Dracula in charge of the blood bank.”
Sussan Ley reveals the Liberals backed out of net zero yesterday, flanked by Senator Anne Ruston (left), opposition energy spokesman Dan Tehan and Senator Jonno Duniam.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
While Watt claims that retreating from renewable energy will raise energy prices, it will also deny heavy industries the opportunity to operate with clean energy and meet global market expectations.
“To give one example: Rio Tinto’s massive Boyne Island aluminum smelter in Gladstone is currently converting its massive 24/7 energy demand into renewable energy, powered by a new solar farm just down the road,” he will say.
“Not because Rio Tinto’s executives are novices, but because they want cheaper energy and their international rivals are moving towards cleaner, renewable energy.
“If we follow the Coalition and make a U-turn from renewable energy, the rest of the world will pass us by and steal these industries and the jobs they produce.”
One Interview with this masthead last monthCrisafulli was adamant that his government’s energy policies would not be driven by their federal counterparts.
“My view on energy is that we need to continue to find a basis for it that is free of ideology, that will ensure that it is affordable, reliable and sustainable,” he said.
“I want to know that my government will give me the power to not continue the massive price increases we have seen in recent years.
“I want to know that in the summer, when cricket is on, the power won’t go out and I won’t miss my last few overs.
“And I want to know that my government is on track to reduce emissions, so I can do my part. [other] people all over the world. “I think this is quite normal.”
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