The Liberal Party's Future: A Tale of Unraveling Policies
A Party in Turmoil: The Liberals' Climate Conundrum
In a stunning turn of events, the Liberal Party finds itself on the brink of a major policy shift, one that could define its future and leave it with less than zero credibility on climate action.
For three consecutive elections, the 'teal' independents have dominated the Liberals, leaving the once-powerful conservative party struggling to regain its footing. The teals' campaign strategy, highlighting the National Party's influence over the Liberals' climate and energy policies, has been remarkably effective.
But here's where it gets controversial: the National Party's recent public rejection of net zero emissions has forced the Liberals' hand. Leader David Littleproud cites 'lived experience' for this pivot, but fails to explain why the Coalition didn't implement this 'cheaper, better, fairer way' during their near-decade in power.
The Liberals' true stance on emissions reduction remains obscure. While officially reviewing their net zero policy, the party seems emotionally adrift, leaving voters unsure of their core beliefs.
And this is the part most people miss: the net zero policy is just the tip of the iceberg. Pulling that thread unravels the entire Liberal ball of wool. What do voters expect from the Liberals now? Lower taxes? Aspiration? Or perhaps just a consistent policy on energy?
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has shown strength, but recent mistakes and the party's history of climate-related leadership issues leave her in a difficult position. Every Liberal leader since Tony Abbott has been felled by climate action, one way or another.
Abbott's landslide victory against the Gillard government's carbon tax didn't translate well into governance. Turnbull, who ratified the Paris Agreement and proposed a sensible energy policy, was toppled by Scott Morrison in 2018. Morrison's coal-cuddling and inert response to the 2019-2020 bushfires damaged his credibility on climate and energy.
Peter Dutton's attempt to sidestep the emissions issue with an implausible nuclear energy policy further eroded the Liberals' credibility. The sad truth is, the Liberals haven't self-sabotaged over energy policy because they're fighting for something; it's because they're unclear about what they stand for.
If the Nationals and conservative Liberals have their way, and net zero is abandoned, what's left? Something far less than zero, and a party in desperate need of a clear direction.
