The Morrison Government’s internal wrangling over its net zero carbon emissions target (or is it a goal?) is not only exasperating. It is depressingly familiar.
For over a decade now the Federal Government has, with a few exceptions, shown itself to be incapable of providing leadership on issues that really matter.
The list of significant challenges facing the country is substantial – climate change, the pandemic, geopolitical uncertainty, entrenched inequality, population ageing, environmental degradation, cybersecurity, family and sexual violence, disability care.
In traditional and social media and across the airwaves these and many other important issues are the subject of vigorous (and at times rancorous) discussion and debate. People are deeply concerned about what is happening to them and around them.
Morrison Government ministers have sound bites at the ready on each of these issues. But that’s pretty much all they have.
After eight years in office, it is all they can do to express a commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. That is where most of the world was at in 2015. Six years ago.
Internationally, the conversation has well and truly moved on.
Nations, local and regional governments, companies and industries are now announcing ambitious plans to slash emissions by 2030.
As befits a global problem, the proposed solutions to climate change are global in their impact too. Australia will be affected.
Countries and groups of countries are talking about tariffs on goods and services adjusted according to their carbon intensity.
Investors are directing their dollars to renewable energy and energy-efficient production and away from fossil fuels. Insurance premiums on coal mines and gas plants are soaring. Coal mines (and to a lesser extent gas operations) are at risk of becoming stranded assets.
Where is Australia in any of these international discussions and debates? Our obdurate federal government has essentially cut our nation out of these conversations. It means our lives will be directly affected by decisions and actions made by others without our input.
Australia will pay three times over for the Coalition government’s sustained failure to be part of the international discussion around climate change solution. Not only will we suffer the consequences of global warming like everyone else (who knew that the effects of climate change could cross borders?)
We will also be hit with any trade-related charges and penalties that are introduced, without a chance to have a say.
And, instead of being at the cutting edge of clean technology industry for the last few years – as we could easily have been – Australia is playing catchup.
As in so many issues in need of urgent attention and leadership, Australia’s national government is missing or, even worse, a handbrake on action.
Outlier 