Sunday 2 November 2025

The Nationals are putting Australians first with cheaper electricity, secure jobs and lower emissions. The Nationals are announcing an all-energy approach, to deliver the lowest possible electricity prices for Australian households and businesses, while maintaining reliability and lowering emissions.

Member for Mallee and Shadow Minister for Regional Development, Local Government, Territories and Regional Communications, Dr Anne Webster MP said Australia can’t afford Labor’s Net Zero all- renewables plan, which Labor cannot achieve anyway.

“Labor’s Net Zero plan is costing Australians dearly — higher power bills, lost jobs, and damage to our farmland and environment. Under Labor, electricity prices are up 39 per cent, gas 46 per cent, and real wages have fallen back to 2011 levels. Families and businesses are hurting and 7,000 manufacturing jobs have been lost,” Dr Webster said.

“Here in Mallee and beyond, our environment is suffering with forests and farmland being destroyed. We are bringing common sense back to solving climate change.

“The Nationals’ plan puts Australians first, with cheaper electricity and secure jobs, while still lowering emissions.

“The Nationals will abandon a net zero commitment. We will do our fair share to reduce global emissions, but not more than the rest of the world. This is a fair approach.” Dr Webster said.

“If we continue down Labor’s reckless path, Australians will only feel more pain, with the estimated cost of net zero at $7 to $9 trillion, or $250,000 per Australian.”

The Nationals have adopted a Cheaper, Better, Fairer energy and climate plan.

Six principles underpin The Nationals new pathway:

1. Lower energy prices first - we should lower energy prices first and abandon Labor’s net zero plan.

2. Doing our fair share - we should reduce emissions in line with comparable nations, not ahead of them.

3. A fair go for all - costs should be distributed evenly, not concentrated on regions. All carbon taxes and restrictions should be removed.

4. Empowering local action - let local communities lead initiatives such as waterway protection, land restoration and soil carbon.

5. Supporting all technologies - a commonsense approach to renewables, embrace new technologies, including nuclear and advanced coal and gas.

6. Protecting our security and prosperity - we should not compromise our quality of living, regional jobs and industries and national defence.

Australia has cut more emissions than other countries. On average, ‘rich’ countries have cut their emissions by 14 per cent. OECD countries have been cutting their emissions by 1 per cent per year. Australia has been cutting its emissions by about 2 per cent per year - double the OECD rate.

Dr Webster said under The Nationals, Australia’s emissions cuts will be capped and calibrated, which is common sense.

“The responsibility will be shared and transparent. There is a proven model, the Emissions Reduction Fund, that between 2014-2023 facilitated real emission reductions that didn't ruin the economy.

“We will incentivise lower emissions through a renewed Emissions Reduction Fund. to deliver between 2 and 9 million tonnes of annual abatement, at an estimated cost between $200 to $500 million per year, which includes assumptions of higher carbon prices. This will be a small fraction of the $9 billion now being spent each year on net-zero subsidies, regulations, and administrative costs.

“Our approach is better, and will increase investment in cheaper electricity by broadening the Capacity Investment Scheme to include all energy technologies and remove the moratorium on nuclear energy. This is about cheaper energy for households and businesses.  Energy is the Economy.  

“Labor’s net zero has failed. We have a plan which is cheaper, better and fairer.

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