Nationals Drop Net Zero, Fuel Coalition Tensions

The Nationals have officially abandoned their net-zero-by-2050 commitment, announcing after party-room and federal council meetings that they will instead peg Australia’s emissions reductions to the pace of other countries rather than set a formal net-zero target. The party framed the shift as a “fairer, cheaper” transition and did not present a firm numeric replacement target in the announcement. The decision has deepened Coalition tensions, with conservative Liberal MPs urging leader Sussan Ley to drop the Liberals’ net-zero pledge and call a special party-room meeting while moderates warn such a reversal could weaken her leadership. Ley and the Liberal leadership met in Canberra as they seek a joint Liberal–National position before parliament resumes, and commentators warned the retreat risks the Nationals’ relevance amid worsening climate impacts. The row highlights competing priorities within the Coalition over energy prices, emissions targets and political optics.