📜The Private Members’ Bill
Last month, Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce put forward a private members' bill to scrap net zero: the 2050 goal for Australia to balance the amount of greenhouse gas emissions it puts into the atmosphere with the amount it takes out.
Private members’ bills are basically a chance for any elected representative to put forward their ideas for debate.
Typically, they don’t go anywhere, especially when they go against the government’s agenda.
It’s more something politicians do to get media attention, hop on the TV, or make a statement on the front page.
🙋🏻♂️The “Supporters”
When Joyce introduced the bill, he had former Nationals leader Michael McCormack and LNP MPs Colin Boyce, Garth Hamilton and Llew O’Brien all in support, appearing at a press conference with big smiles and looks of alignment.
However, when it came time to vote on whether the bill should be debated on the 31st of July, Barnaby Joyce was the only member of the Coalition who voted in favour, crossing the floor to vote with the Albanese Government.
🧍♂️Why was he on his own?
There’s a fair reading of the last few weeks that says Barnaby has been acting confrontational to parts of his own party, as well as members of the Libs.
Joyce’s insistence that net zero, a fundamental part of the Coalition’s approach to the climate, is a load of shit, will be tearing at the internal divides of both the Liberals and the Nationals at a time when they want to be taken seriously.
Imagine if you’re in the “progressive” part of the Liberal Party:
Your party has suffered a historic defeat.
Everyone's laughing at you.
People are throwing rocks at your head about your terrible climate policy.
And now this guy is trying to wreck things further.
🧱To make matters worse
The Albanese Government has backed the bill to be debated on August 25.
And probably not because they want to scrap net zero.
When your enemy is running headfirst into a brick wall, why would you stop them?
Labor is probably hoping a debate will only continue any perceived rifts in the Coalition.
👉What happens next?
This bill will be debated in the House, where Labor will be getting ready to have a field day.
Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen is likely eyeing up Barnaby Joyce’s bill like an ibis at an unattended picnic table.
For the Coalition, this saga will be an unwelcome distraction as both parties continue to review their energy policy. The Opposition would probably rather talk about anything else – but Joyce has stuck his neck out and now the Coalition has to run the race.