A group of teal independent MPs, including Kate Chaney, have condemned the Liberal Party's decision to abandon its commitment to net zero emissions by 2050, warning that the move signals political suicide in metropolitan electorates and reinforces their own role as the true opposition. The shift, backed by the Nationals and endorsed by Liberal deputy leader Sussan Ley, also involves a promise to repeal Labor’s legislated 43% emissions reduction target by 2030.
West Australian MP Kate Chaney, who holds the inner Perth seat of Curtin, strongly criticised the Liberals’ new position. She described it as “economic sabotage” due to the uncertainty it creates for investors in renewable energy, and declared that “they are signing their own guarantee of future irrelevance in city seats.” Chaney maintained that the Coalition’s retreat from climate commitments is both politically damaging and detrimental to the nation’s long-term economic interests. “It will be very difficult for a Liberal to stand in Curtin with their current position on net zero,” she added, lamenting the wider implications while acknowledging the political gain for independents like herself.
Other prominent teal MPs echoed similar sentiments. Zali Steggall, MP for Warringah, accused the Liberals of veering into ideologically extreme territory, comparing them to a “Trumpian mockery” and blaming former prime minister Tony Abbott and conservative lobby group Advance Australia for the reversal. She cited the Coalition’s decade-long inconsistency on energy policy as the cause of stagnation in investment for new electricity generation.
Mackellar MP Sophie Scamps labelled the abandonment of net zero a “stunt” and accused the Liberals of misleading the public by suggesting climate action drives up energy prices. She argued that maintaining a net zero target is key to reducing energy costs. Using a sharp analogy, she criticised the Liberals’ passive stance: “If your country was being invaded, would you say ‘we’re not going to act to defend ourselves but we would welcome victory if it occurs?’”
Tim Wilson, the only Liberal to reclaim a teal-held seat at the last election, pushed back by accusing the independents of voting for coal and gas subsidies via their support for Labor’s energy price relief plan. However, the legislation in question did not directly compensate fossil fuel companies and required agreement with states for any future measures.
Monique Ryan, MP for Kooyong, blasted Ley’s leadership as “indecisive weakness,” accusing her of capitulating to Barnaby Joyce and betraying the party’s original Menzian values. Chaney, Steggall and Nicolette Boele all agreed that the Coalition’s retreat leaves a policy vacuum, increasing the importance of the crossbench in holding Labor accountable on climate.
Allegra Spender described the Coalition’s stance as a hollow posture, lacking any credible policy to support investment or energy price stability. She argued that this disconnect from science, business and investor confidence intensifies the necessity for independent MPs to lead on climate and energy reform.
Together, the teal independents positioned themselves as the only group offering clear, market-aligned, and forward-looking leadership on climate policy amid growing disenchantment with the major parties.