Nationals Leader Matt Canavan said the global net-zero policy is dead but continues to cost Australians an arm and a leg.
The critique targets the 2026 Australian federal budget, where Canavan said continued spending on climate targets threatens the nation's long-term economic stability.
During an interview with Sky News Australia, Canavan said the Liberal and National parties have committed to scrapping net-zero. He said the current approach is putting at risk the future wealth of the country.
Canavan highlighted a $12 billion [1] net-zero cost increase within the Labor government's budget. He said this spending blowout is unjustified given the perceived global decline of the net-zero target.
Regarding the presentation of the budget, Canavan said the treasurer mentioned net-zero just once, describing it as a fleeting line. This lack of detailed discussion, according to Canavan, contrasts with the significant financial commitment attached to the policy.
Canavan said the policy is ineffective on a global scale. He said Australia is bearing a disproportionate financial burden for a target that other nations are no longer prioritizing.
“Net-zero is still costing Australians an “arm and a leg,” despite it being “dead” around the world.”
This dispute reflects a deepening divide in Australian politics over the economic cost of the energy transition. By framing net-zero as a failed global experiment, the Nationals are positioning themselves to pivot the national conversation from environmental targets to fiscal preservation and the protection of traditional wealth-generating industries.
