Chaffey outlines Coalition plan to scrap net zero

Families and businesses in the Parkes electorate would be prioritised under a Liberals and Nationals plan to scrap Australia’s legislated net zero target and focus on cheaper and reliable energy.

Federal Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey said rising electricity costs were putting increasing pressure on household budgets.

“Every extra dollar spent on your power bill is a dollar less for the family budget,” Mr Chaffey said.

“Australia has abundant energy resources. So why are we paying so much?

“The problem is Labor’s policies. Driven by its net zero obsession, Labor has turned its back on affordable and reliable energy.

“The Liberals and Nationals will scrap net zero and prioritise cheaper power.”

Under the proposal, the Liberals and Nationals would introduce the Scrap Net Zero (Cheaper Energy) Bill within 30 days of being elected.The legislation would scrap the net zero target currently in law and remove the safeguard mechanism, which the Coalition describes as a carbon tax that increases costs for productive industries and drives jobs offshore.

The plan would also scrap Labor’s family car and ute tax, cancel four offshore wind zones and establish a code of conduct for renewable energy developers.

It would also lift the ban on nuclear energy and require federal funding and the energy regulator to prioritise cheaper, reliable power.

Mr Chaffey said the plan would centre energy policy on affordability, reliability and security.

“Labor’s obsession with ideology and political targets costs people throughout the Parkes electorate,” Mr Chaffey said.

“They promised your power bill would fall by $275, but electricity has instead risen by nearly 40 per cent.

“We will put households and businesses before ideology. Our plan will back any technology that can deliver affordable and reliable power, including coal, gas, hydro, nuclear, batteries and renewables in the right places.

“Because less money spent on your power bill means more left for groceries, rent, the mortgage and everything else your family needs.

“People in communities throughout the electorate have told me of the extreme impact these prices are having on their businesses, their household budgets and their community groups. It is the final straw for some people as the cost of living continues to soar.”