Energy Minister Chris Bowen branded a 'snake' by Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce over net zero 'guilt trip'

Sky News AU

2 days ago

Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce has branded Energy Minister Chris Bowen a "snake" as he claimed Labor was attempting to "swindle" Australians with its net zero push.
Following the Labor's resounding victory at the last federal election, Mr Bowen has doubled down on the party's controversial push to overhaul the nation's energy grid.
On Sunday, the Energy Minister recommitted to expanding renewables developments across the country in order to meet ambitious emissions reductions targets and reach net zero by 2050.
Mr Bowen also suggested Australia could soon introduce targeted tariffs on imports deemed emissions-intensive.
In response, Mr Joyce, a longtime critic of net zero, told Sky News Australia Labor's plans would soon see Australians "pay through the teeth" for energy.
"What are we doing this for? The majority of the globe in population and the majority of the globe, in economics, does not participate in net zero," he said.
"What we've got to clearly understand is this is the most appalling virtue statement that signs you up for the greatest swindle, and I really mean that, in modern times.
"What happens at the end is the pensioner, poor old Australians, they pay through the teeth.
"We have put our nation at risk because of this mythical guilt trip and this huge swindle on us."
Mr Joyce and Nationals colleague Matt Canavan have stepped up their attacks on net zero since the election, with Senator Canavan even challenging for the leadership of the party in order to dump the Coalition's commitment to emissions reductions.
While that challenge was ultimately unsuccessful, new Liberal leader Sussan Ley has been coy on whether the Coalition will continue to stand by net zero, leading to fresh suggestions of climate change denialism from Labor.
Mr Joyce, however, hit back at those claims, criticising the way in which the government was engaging in the debate over energy.
"Don't you just hate the way that they go about this?" he said.
"With a guile of a snake, they create this guilt trip.
"They say: 'Well, if you disagree with me, the kitties will instantaneously combust and everything will die and the beaches will go and the houses will be flooded'."
The Nationals MP also speculated on what might happen if Labor's plan proved ineffective at reducing the effects of climate change, suggesting it could even jeopardise the political future of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
"Mr Bowen and Mr Albanese, we're so far down the track," he said.
"Is it going to be the case that if the floods and the cyclones don't stop, they'll resign?"
While such an outcome is unlikely, Labor does face pressure over power prices, which have remained elevated despite its claims the renewables push would lower household bills over time.
That pressure is likely to grow further once federal energy rebates end next year.