Nationals Abandon Net Zero to Save Australian Industry
Yesterday at the National Press Club, The National Party of Australia drew a line in the sand, declaring it will no longer support Labor’s reckless Net Zero target by 2050, calling it unaffordable, unachievable, and unsustainable for Australia’s economic and industrial future.
The Party says Labor’s ideological approach is driving up power prices, costing jobs, and punishing the regions that keep Australia running.
Shadow Assistant Minister for Manufacturing and Sovereign Capability, Andrew Willcox MP, said the decision was based on economic reality, not ideology, and a stand for Australian jobs, industry, and energy security.
“Our economy is reliant on energy,” Mr Willcox said.
“And right now, our economy is being strangled by an obsession with targets that do nothing to change the global climate but everything to destroy local jobs and drive up the cost of living.
“Our environment is suffering with forests and farmland being destroyed. We need to bring common sense back to solving climate change.
“Our plan puts Australians first, with cheaper electricity and secure jobs, while still lowering emissions.”
Under Labor, electricity prices have risen 39 per cent and gas by the same. When power costs go up, it costs more to grow food, to make goods, and to run every household and factory across the nation. For manufacturers, the lifeblood of regional Australia, high and volatile energy prices are not just an inconvenience, they are an existential threat.
“Australia’s manufacturing sector, once a global leader, is now being crushed under the weight of energy policy confusion, rising costs, and the unrealistic burden of Net Zero,” Mr Willcox said.
“Energy volatility and regulatory overreach have driven uncertainty and eroded our competitive advantage, while ‘carbon leakage’ is pushing production offshore to nations with weaker environmental standards and cheaper power.
“Labor’s renewables-only agenda is pushing businesses to the wall while pretending the transition won’t cost jobs. It will, and it already has.”
The crisis unfolding at Tomago Aluminium, where around 1,000 jobs are now in jeopardy, is the clearest warning yet. The company has confirmed that “future energy prices are not commercially viable”, a devastating reflection of the current government’s policy failures.
“When one of the nation’s biggest energy users says it can’t keep the lights on, that’s not an isolated problem, that’s a national crisis,” Mr Willcox said.
“If a powerhouse like Tomago can’t lock in affordable power, what chance does a small business in Wulguru or Ayr have?”
He said every closure in manufacturing sends shockwaves through the supply chain; suppliers, transport operators, and small workshops that rely on these industrial anchors.
“Net Zero isn’t a climate plan, it’s a de-industrialisation plan. Every job lost weakens our sovereign capability and makes us more dependent on imports.”
Australia cannot continue to punish itself for the emissions of others. Australia contributes just over one per cent of global emissions, while China, the United States, India and Russia account for roughly 60 per cent — and their emissions are still rising.
“To pretend that Australia can alter the global temperature by taxing our own industries out of existence is fantasy,” Mr Willcox said.
“If we continue down Labor’s reckless plan, Australians will only feel more pain, with the estimated cost of net zero at $7 to $9 trillion, or $300,000 per Australian.”
“It won’t move the dial on global temperatures one bit.”
Mr Willcox said the National Party will instead focus on policies that deliver affordable, reliable, and technology-neutral energy, including lifting Australia’s outdated ban on nuclear power to test its commercial viability.
“We support cleaner technology, but not at the cost of common sense,” he said.
“Net Zero has become a slogan, not a solution.
“Australians deserve policy grounded in reality, one that strengthens our industries instead of strangling them.”
He added that the Nationals remain deeply committed to caring for the environment, because regional Australians live it every day.
“Our farmers are on the frontline of managing and protecting the environment,” Mr Willcox said.
“We want our children and grandchildren to grow up with clean air, healthy soils, and fresh waterways, and we believe in practical, achievable solutions that protect our environment while lowering emissions without trashing our economy.
“Australians want light in their homes, power in their factories, and hope for their kids; not lectures about what car to drive or what to eat,” Mr Willcox said.
“It’s time to stop the experiment and start rebuilding our strength.
“Australia deserves better than Net Zero.”
Six principles underpin The Nationals new pathway:
Lower energy prices first - we should lower energy prices first and abandon Labor’s net zero plan.
Doing our fair share - we should reduce emissions in line with comparable nations, not ahead of them.
A fair go for all - costs should be distributed evenly, not concentrated on regions. All carbon taxes and restrictions should be removed.
Empowering local action - let local communities lead initiatives such as waterway protection, land restoration and soil carbon.
Supporting all technologies - a commonsense approach to renewables, embrace new technologies, including nuclear and advanced coal and gas.
Protecting our security and prosperity - we should not compromise our quality of living, regional jobs and industries and national defence.
ENDS
CAPTION
Shadow Minister for Manufacturing and Sovereign Capability, Andrew Willcox, at the National Party Federal Council in Canberra, standing up for Australian manufacturing and regional jobs, voting no to Labor’s Net Zero plan that threatens industries and livelihoods.
Contact: Amanda Wright | Media & Communications Adviser
P | 07 4944 0662 M | 0455 456 705 E | Amanda.Wright@aph.gov.au