Conservatives like me embrace conservation. Why the Coalition’s chainsaw approach to climate? | Andrew McLachlan
News Source
•Mon, 02 Nov 2026 01:49:07 GMT
📰 What Happened
Former Liberal senator Andrew McLachlan has criticised the Coalition's new climate plan. He says removing net zero targets and shrinking renewable energy agencies abandons the party's own traditions.
The plan would also scrap electric vehicle tax breaks and battery rebates, end the yearly climate statement to parliament, and limit the Climate Change Authority. McLachlan calls these moves radical rather than conservative.
🔍 The Backstory
The Liberal Party has a long history of conservation, including creating national environment laws. McLachlan says many of the policies the Coalition now wants to remove were built by earlier Coalition governments.
He notes the Senate may block the plan, and warns that investors dislike uncertainty. He also points to huge clean energy spending in South Korea and China, and says Australia risks being left behind.
🎯 Why It Matters
Climate policy affects power bills, jobs and Australia's standing with its neighbours. The split also shows what could change after the next election.
Former Liberal senator Andrew McLachlan has criticised the Coalition's new climate plan. He says removing net zero targets and shrinking renewable energy agencies abandons the party's own traditions.
The plan would also scrap electric vehicle tax breaks and battery rebates, end the yearly climate statement to parliament, and limit the Climate Change Authority. McLachlan calls these moves radical rather than conservative.
The Liberal Party has a long history of conservation, including creating national environment laws. McLachlan says many of the policies the Coalition now wants to remove were built by earlier Coalition governments.
He notes the Senate may block the plan, and warns that investors dislike uncertainty. He also points to huge clean energy spending in South Korea and China, and says Australia risks being left behind.
Climate policy affects power bills, jobs and Australia's standing with its neighbours. The split also shows what could change after the next election.