Shockingly Low: Coalition Receives Only 1 Out of 100 Points for Environmental and Climate Policies from Conservation Group

Australia’s major political parties are facing criticism for their environmental policies, as highlighted in a recent scorecard from the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF). The federal Coalition received a dismal score of just 1 out of 100, marking the lowest rating in over 20 years. In contrast, Labor managed to score 54%, while the Greens excelled with a score of 98%.

Kelly O’Shanassy, the CEO of ACF, pointed out that the Coalition’s poor performance stems from its support for risky energy sources like nuclear and gas. She emphasized, “They’ve failed every single test.” O’Shanassy noted that the election campaign overlooked important issues, such as climate change and nature conservation, despite clear contrasts between the policies of Labor and the Coalition.

Labor’s score reflected some progress, particularly with its commitment to renewable energy through an 82% target and a home battery subsidy. However, Labor lost points for weakening environmental protections and approving new coal and gas projects.

Criticism of Labor also escalated during the last parliamentary term when the government paused legislation for a national Environment Protection Agency, presumably due to pressure from the fossil fuel industry. Labor has pledged to cut emissions by 43% from 2005 levels, a target the Coalition has promised to review.

The Coalition’s lone point on the scorecard was for acknowledging concerns about potential nuclear waste issues linked to the Aukus security pact. Meanwhile, multiple independent candidates, such as Andrew Wilkie and Zali Steggall, scored above 90%, largely for their strong stances on renewable energy and environmental protection.

Expert opinions further clarify the implications of these scores. Professor Lesley Hughes from Macquarie University argues that the Coalition’s rating is justified, given its consistent opposition to emission-reducing policies. Hughes remarked that while Labor has made some strides, they still have considerable ground to cover. She insists on the need to reform the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act and advocated for a serious transition away from fossil fuel dependency.

In response to this topic, social media trends have surfaced with users expressing frustration over politicians’ lack of focus on crucial environmental issues. Many are calling for more accountable and transparent policies from all parties.

As Australians face growing climate concerns, the push for strong and effective environmental policies has never been more urgent. It’s clear that voters are watching and will hold their leaders accountable for the future of the country’s natural resources and climate health.

For more insights into the implications of these scores, you can check recent policies reported by the Climate Council.

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