THE architect of Labor’s 2019 election climate policy has warned that medium-term emissions targets are unnecessary, contradicting the ALP’s dominant Green wing.
Australian National University economics professor Warwick McKibbin said while medium targets were not required, cost controls most definitely were.
“If you’re going after 2050 net zero, you want to get there at the lowest cost,” Prof McKibbin told The Australian newspaper yesterday.
GRADUALLY
“This means you want a mechanism that allows you to get there gradually over time and minimises costs,” he said.
“It may not be consistent with any particular 2020 or 2030 target. It is the policy framework that matters.”
Prof McKibbin has reinforced the position of ALP climate realist Joel Fitzgibbon in rejecting the need for medium-term targets.
“You can announce as many targets as you like but if you don’t have the policy framework in place then it is much harder to achieve those targets.”
Mr Fitzgibbon recently resigned his ALP resources portfolio after a stand-up confrontation with Party leader Anthony Albanese over climate policy.
Mr Albanese, who represents an inner Sydney electorate and is in bed with his Party’s hard Green Left faction, has taken an anti-coal, pro-wind stance.
DECEPTIVE
Former Victorian energy minister, Labor’s Theo Theophanous, said federal Labor was involved in “deceptive virtue signalling”.
In an opinion piece written for News Corp Mr Theophanous said his Party was walking into a political trap.
“With Joel Fitzgibbon gone from shadow cabinet, Labor’s fanatical energy spokesman Mark Butler has slipped into the draft platform that the Party will adopt tough interim targets for 2030-35, while any mention of coal or gas exports has been excluded,” Mr Theophanous wrote.
“[Prime Minister Scott] Morrison knows Labor’s policies will be unaffordable and not properly costed,” he said.
“It’s a political trap Labor is falling headlong into – again.
“Meanwhile, the message being heard by blue-collar workers and voters in the suburbs is that Labor cares little about them.”
MIRAGE
Mr Theophanous said Labor’s latest thinking on climate was a mirage.
“Albanese and Butler’s Nirvana of renewable energy backed up by pumped hydro is a mirage,” he said.
“Australia’s arid climate means the capacity of pumped hydro is limited and costly. Batteries are too expensive and useful only for short-term balancing of the system.
“To succeed, Albanese must adopt centrist policies, remove Butler from the energy space and bring back Fitzgibbon.
“He must not sell out Labor’s traditional base on the altar of renewables. And he must include an honest conversation with Australians about a safe nuclear option as potentially the only way to get to net-zero emissions by 2050.” PC
LOL – left wing idiots arguing about which turn to take on the road to nowhere.
How will Labor handle losing four elections because of its climate lunacy?
It’s okay to be wrong, according to Albanese, so long as you feel warm and fuzzy while being so.
Liberals are set for a 12 to 15 year term, minimum.