Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie has indicated he will quit or be dumped from the shadow cabinet\u00a0if the Coalition does not abandon the target of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.<\/p>\n
The Western Australian MP has outspokenly campaigned against the target as opposition leader Sussan Ley faces growing internal pressure to determine the Liberals’ policy on net zero.<\/p>\n
When asked what he would do if Ms Ley supported the target, Mr Hastie said: “That leaves me without a job.”<\/p>\n
“I’ve nailed my colours to the mast,” he told ABC Radio Perth.<\/p>\n
“If I go out with the tide in two-and-a-half years that’s great … I’ll get a lot more time with my kids back.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Andrew Hastie says he would be “without a job” if the Liberal Party doesn’t drop its support for net zero by 2050. (ABC News: Ian Cutmore)<\/p>\n
“My primary mission in politics is to build a stronger, more secure, more competitive Australia. Energy security is a vital input into that, so that’s my bottom line.<\/p>\n
“I said that net zero policy is a straitjacket for our economy and our country, and I believe that.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Australia’s first National Climate Risk Assessment has warned 1.5 million Australians are at risk from sea levels rising by 2050.<\/p>\n
Loading…<\/p>\n
The report states 597,000 are living in areas that will become exposed to sea level rises by 2030, with Queensland home to 18 of the 20 most exposed regions.<\/p>\n
Mr Hastie, who has previously been touted as a potential future party leader, described the assessment as “climate alarmism”.<\/p>\n
“Put together by politically compromised, economically insulated public servants who are running cover for Labor,” he said.<\/p>\n
“The best thing we can do for the Australian people is to have a target to get prices down, for affordable electricity, affordable gas, so families have more disposable income.”<\/p>\n
Bruising week<\/p>\n
The shadow minister for home affair’s comments come after a bruising week for the Coalition.<\/p>\n
Then-shadow minister for defence industry and personnel Jacinta Nampijinpa Price was dumped from the Coalition frontbench last week after an escalating dispute over her comments about Indian Australians.<\/p>\n