Right faction hardheads will accept greenwashing ahead of Glasgow if that's required to keep the Coalition in power, Guardian Katharine Murphy 2 Oct 21, But even if Scott Morrison lands net zero he would rather market his climate pivot at home rather than abroad – there's an election to prepare for............................................... Right now, Morrison is trying to land new climate commitments ahead of the Cop26 in Glasgow. While senior people insist Morrison's net zero plane is going to land, on a runway, with zero casualties, either in the second or third week of October, climate policy can be lethal territory for Australian prime ministers, and not just prime ministers called Malcolm Turnbull (as Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard can attest).

Morrison's current trouble seems to be confined to a handful of Queensland Nationals as opposed to the entire right faction of the Liberal party, which was Turnbull's cross to bear during rounds one and two of his internal climate wars.

Thus far, the right has been quiet. People say the majority view is grudging acceptance because of the shifting politics – although some conservatives report a growing backlash bubbling up from the base about a net zero commitment.

Morrison referenced the shifting politics when he met a deputation of mainly moderate Liberals earlier this week. This group of MPs was given some face time with Morrison after they asked to see him. The objective was to send a clear message: the group wanted a commitment to the net zero target. They did not want a handful of Queensland Nationals writing the government's climate change policy.

......   If the centre of political gravity has shifted in favour of climate action in parts of the country where the Liberals need to hold or win seats, then the Liberal party will need to act, or (more pertinently) at least look like it's acting.

If that's the electoral reality, political hard heads in the right faction of the Liberal party can hold their noses about net zero if they believe greenwashing ahead of Glasgow is what's required to keep Labor out of power.

But for some hardcore conservatives, Morrison revisiting the Coalition's climate crime scene will be a provocation. It will be yet more proof of his obnoxious dictatorial pragmatism. It is not clear yet whether or not conservative feet will be stamped or rhetorical punches thrown. Perhaps they won't, because there are always consequences for picking fights. But wise prime ministers prepare for all contingencies...........

Assuming the prime minister can land his net zero deal with Barnaby Joyce, Morrison would rather market his climate pivot at home rather than abroad..........https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/oct/02/right-faction-hardheads-will-accept-greenwashing-ahead-of-glasgow-if-thats-required-to-keep-the-coalition-in-power

 This free site is ad-supported. Learn more
​