The Net Zero daydream just turned into a nightmare

The Net Zero daydream just turned into a nightmare

Less than 12 months ago the Net Zero cheerleaders, Premier Malinauskas chief amongst them, were promising that pursuing this green dream would see us backstroking in prosperity, new jobs in green hydrogen and green metals to name just two sectors, and lots of them.

This conceit was reinforced by their assurances that the rest of the world was taking action on Net Zero too.

Sadly, for them this Net Zero daydream is quickly turning into their Net Zero nightmare.

Globally, it is now clear that the world’s largest emitters - China, the United States and India - representing close to 60% of global emissions, have no intention of reducing emissions. In fact, in 2023 alone, China’s emissions rose by more than 160 percent of Australia’s total output.

Meanwhile, locally the green hydrogen pipedream - zealously pursued by your State Government courtesy of $250 million of your taxes - has imploded and the production of green steel from the Whyalla Steelworks, that I note is currently in administration, looks about as likely as me rucking for Essendon next season.  That is despite a $1.8 billion carrot (again, your tax dollars) being dangled by the State and Federal Governments to incentivise someone/anyone to save the plant from closure, a fate we recently learnt awaits Alcoa’s Kwinana Alumina Refinery in Western Australia.

This of course is all playing out against the background of the Federal Government committing to a new goal of cutting emissions by 62 - 70% by 2035 on route to zero by 2050 - despite Ross Garnaut’s warning that Australia is highly unlikely to achieve its 2030 target, let alone the more ambitious 2035 and 2050 ones.

This madness must end. We were promised the pursuit of Net Zero would drive down costs and power bills. Instead, the opposite is happening. Australia is losing its cheap energy advantage and as a consequence, its industrial heart.

This isn’t serious policy. It’s political theatre - without the courage to level with the Australian people.  It’s time for a new direction one grounded in honesty, sovereignty and common sense.

Net Zero isn’t the pathway to prosperity. It’s the route to ruin - and the quicker we wake up from this nightmare the better.