Family First NSW Upper House candidate Lyle Shelton has warned that families and small businesses will continue to suffer crippling energy bills because the NSW Liberal Party is too spooked by polling — and led by a committed net-zero supporter — to abandon the policy that is wrecking Australian industry and driving up household costs.
Mr Shelton said leaked Liberal party YouGov polling showing Liberal MPs fear “electoral wipe-out” in Sydney if they walk away from net zero has all but guaranteed the party will cling to Labor-style climate policies, despite mounting evidence that net zero is putting massive cost of living pressure on families, destroying jobs, and hurting businesses.
With Family First polling at 5pc in Upper House voting intentions, Mr Shelton said the party would use its influence, if elected, to keep coal generation open and to get more gas into the system quickly.
The Minns government has already been forced to extend the life of coal-fired power stations to keep the lights on and Family First believes the only way to take pressure off families will be for further coal extensions and for gas-fired power stations to be built.
Mr Shelton committed Family First to push for an Indenture Act to approve the construction of a new coal plant in NSW with a legislated power purchase agreement to ensure its financial viability.
“It’s not fair that Newcastle is the biggest coal export port in the world giving other countries cheap power while it is denied to our own people.
“Thankfully the federal Coalition has now seen the light — but NSW families face more pressure because the NSW Liberals are too frightened of inner-city voters to put affordability first.”
Mr Shelton said NSW Liberal Leader Mark Speakman, a former environment minister, had repeatedly signalled his determination to stick with net zero, regardless of the cost to families.
“Mark Speakman is a true believer in net zero. The leaked polling has rattled his caucus, and now they’re running scared,” he said.
“Instead of listening to families struggling with rising power bills, they’re listening to pollsters.”
Family First said the fact the polling is to be presented to Liberal MPs tomorrow proves the Liberals are more worried about appeasing climate activists in marginal Sydney seats than protecting mainstream families.
“If people were told the truth about net zero, they could be won over. But the Liberals don’t have the courage.”
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