No to Net Zero. Yes to a Cheaper, Better and Fairer Energy and Emissions Reduction Policy - 2 November, 2025

Breaking

3 Dec

Today, the Nationals put Australians first by abandoning net zero and committing to a cheaper, better and fairer energy and emissions reduction policy.

The Member for Lyne, Alison Penfold MP said The Nationals are announcing an all energy approach, to deliver the lowest possible electricity prices for Australian households and businesses, while maintaining reliability and lowering emissions.

“Australia can’t afford the Albanese Labor Government’s Net Zero plan, which it cannot achieve anyway,” Ms Penfold said.

“Families are paying too much and jobs are being lost. Our environment is suffering with forests and farmland being destroyed. We need to bring common sense back in making our contribution to emissions reduction.

“Our plan puts Australians first, with cheaper electricity and secure jobs, while still lowering emissions.” “Under Labor’s net zero, electricity prices are up by 39 per cent. Gas prices are up by 42 per cent. In the meantime, real wages have dropped back to 2011 levels and 8500 manufacturing jobs have been lost.

Ms Penfold said that while we are abandoning net zero, we are not abandoning climate action.

“We will do our fair share to reduce global emissions, but not more than the rest of the world.

“If we continue down Labor’s reckless plan, Australians will only feel more pain, with the estimated cost of net zero at $7 to $9 trillion, or $300,000 per Australian.”

The six principles that underpin The Nationals new pathway:

Lower energy prices first - we should lower energy prices first and abandon Labor’s net zero plan.
Doing our fair share - we should reduce emissions in line with comparable nations, not ahead of them.
A fair go for all - costs should be distributed evenly, not concentrated on regions. All carbon taxes and restrictions should be removed.
Empowering local action - let local communities lead initiatives such as waterway protection, land restoration and soil carbon.
Supporting all technologies - a commonsense approach to renewables, embrace new technologies, including nuclear and advanced coal and gas.
Protecting our security and prosperity - we should not compromise our quality of living, regional jobs and industries and national defence.

“Australia has cut more emissions than other countries. On average, ‘rich’ countries have cut their emissions by 14 per cent. OECD countries have been cutting their emissions by 1 per cent per year. Australia has been cutting its emissions by about 2 per cent per year - double the OECD rate,” Ms Penfold said.

“Our emissions cuts will be capped, calibrated and common sense.

“The responsibility will be shared and transparent. There is a proven model, the Emissions Reduction Fund, that between 2014-23 facilitated real emission reductions that didn't ruin the economy.

“We will incentivise lower emissions through a renewed Emissions Reduction Fund to deliver between 2 and 9 million tonnes of annual abatement, at an estimated cost between $200 to $500 million per year, which includes assumptions of higher carbon prices.

“This is a small fraction of the $9 billion now spent on net-zero subsidies, regulations, and administrative costs.

“Our approach will increase investment in cheaper electricity by broadening the Capacity Investment Scheme to include all energy technologies and remove the moratorium on nuclear energy.

“The Nationals are putting Australians first with cheaper electricity because political parties like ours should focus on reducing living costs. And its important that the pace of emissions reduction protects regional economies, secures jobs and protects nature by putting an end to the Albanese Labor Government’s reckless renewables rollout.”

ENDS

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