Why did the NSW Nationals vote to abandon Australia's goal of net zero by 2050?

The strong message was made at a conference held in Coffs Harbour last week.

Ellie Chamberlain
June 19, 2025

The NSW Nationals have voted to abandon Australia’s 2050 net zero emissions target – a move with particular resonance for Mid North Coast residents living in an area where the party holds a strong political influence. While the decision from the state branch of the party can’t force Nationals leader David Littleproud to do anything, it represents an ongoing source of friction for the Coalition opposition government, as it reckons with how it will approach climate change policy into the future.

About 300 delegates attended a state conference held in Coffs Harbour last weekend, where the motion to scrap Net Zero 2050 reportedly passed with 60-65 percent support.

70-year-old locks himself to harvester to stop logging in proposed Great Koala National Park on the MNC

Peter Elzer wanted the attention of the Labor Government, urging them to cease logging and establish the promised park.

Member for Oxley, NSW National’s Michael Kemp, told the Mid North Coaster he is not in favour of scrapping the net zero goal entirely, but does not support the 2050 target.

“I think scrapping it will assist primary producers on the Mid North Coast if that stance has ratified federally and through the state government,” he said, “...the headlong rush is costing our taxpayers, our primary producers, our businesses, and our residents significant amounts in money and taxes.”

“I support removing the 2050 Net Zero target. I think that we need to, as a community and as a government, do as much as we can to work towards having a more sustainable future”.

What is net zero by 2050?

The government’s Net Zero Plan aligns Australia with other countries who have signed the Paris Agreement, committing to keep the global average temperature below 2 degrees celsius with a target of limiting any increases to 1.5 degrees celsius.

The Net Zero Plan targets “net zero” greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. More than 40 percent of the power in the national grid is currently coming from renewable energy sources like sun and wind power.

Groups like the Climate Council have called the 2020s our “make or break decade” in regards to combatting climate change. Farmers – and regional and rural Australians – are perhaps most impacted by climate change – whether that be climate disasters like fire and floods or the impact climate change is having on farming practices.

The NSW Nationals have scrapped Net Zero. What does that mean for the Coalition's fractured climate divide?

A vote at the state conference has reignited tensions over emissions policy — and put pressure on federal Nationals leader David Littleproud to pick a side.

The Coalition’s net zero history

The goal of Net Zero by 2050 is an official Coalition policy, but shadow minister Dan Tehan is currently reviewing the party’s adoption of the target.

And while the vote to abandon the 2050 goal by NSW Nationals doesn't change how things sit federally, it does send a clear message – and Nationals leader David Littleproud will be under pressure to respond. Key Nationals reps like Matt Canavan and Barnaby Joyce have already said the policy should be ditched.

Guardian Australia reports Page MP and Nationals deputy leader, Kevin Hogan, attended the NSW conference.

The Mid North Coaster contacted Hogan for comment, along with Lyne MP Alison Penfold and Cowper MP Pat Conaghan, and will update this story if it receives a response.

Thumbnail insert: Michael Kemp MP Facebook page.