Federal Liberal MP Andrew Hastie has publicly criticised WA Liberal leader Basil Zempilas for supporting Australia’s 2050 net zero emissions target, despite a successful motion at the WA Liberals’ State Council meeting calling for its removal.
Hastie, who proposed the motion, said it reflected “growing concern from mainstream Australians about our expensive energy bills, unreliable supply, and the erosion of our national sovereignty.”
In an email to supporters, he said he was “disappointed” by Zempilas’ remarks, accusing the state leader of dismissing those concerns.
Zempilas, speaking to reporters at the event and again on Monday, reaffirmed his support for the net zero target, stating, “We support the status quo on the net zero targets.”
He also urged the party to reconnect with younger, urban, and female voters, warning against alienating them over climate and cultural issues.
He further distanced himself from a separate motion to scrap Welcome to Country ceremonies and Indigenous flags, stating the WA parliamentary Liberal Party did not support it.
“We are very comfortable standing in front of the Aboriginal flag,” he said.
The disagreement highlights growing division within the Liberal Party as federal deputy leader Sussan Ley leads a policy review to help reclaim seats lost to Labor and independents.
Similar motions to abandon net zero have passed in South Australia, with Queensland yet to vote.
Source: ABC.
