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Former PM Malcolm Turnbull Accuses Liberal Party of Abandoning Net-Zero Ambitions

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  Published in Politics and Government on Thursday, November 13th 2025 at 23:05 GMT by Daily Mail

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Malcolm Turnbull slams the Liberal Party for abandoning net‑zero ambitions and claims the shift is driven by “right‑wing media”

In a scathing interview that has already sparked debate across Australia’s political spectrum, former Liberal Party leader and former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull criticised the party for abandoning its net‑zero pledge and, he said, being “dictated by right‑wing media.” The comments, made on a high‑profile news program, are part of Turnbull’s growing crusade to put climate policy back on the national agenda and to warn his former colleagues that the party’s current direction will cost Australia both its future and its standing in the world.

The heart of Turnbull’s critique

Turnbull’s main accusation is that the Liberal Party, which has traditionally been the party of free‑market economics, has moved away from the net‑zero commitments the party made during his own time as Prime Minister. He says the party’s “current leadership” has “abandoned the net‑zero promise that was signed by the coalition” and that this represents a break from the legacy of his own government’s climate‑change strategy.

The former Prime Minister explains that the coalition had previously agreed to “net‑zero emissions by 2050,” a benchmark that was touted as a cornerstone of the party’s environmental platform. According to Turnbull, the party’s new direction has pivoted to a more cautious stance, favoring “slow‑roll” policy changes, and in many instances, he claims, the party has “failed to commit to a timeline.”

Turnbull also highlighted the lack of a clear plan to phase out coal and to invest in green technology – a plan that he argues was necessary to keep Australia competitive as the world moves away from fossil fuels. He cited the coalition’s failure to set a clear strategy for the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and for state governments, noting that the coalition has “ignored the science” and is “cooking the books” for the sake of the mining industry.

The role of “right‑wing media”

Another striking part of Turnbull’s remarks is his claim that the shift in climate policy is not purely a matter of politics but is heavily influenced by “right‑wing media.” He pointed to the “conservative news outlets” that have championed the idea that climate change is a “conspiracy” and that any aggressive action would be harmful to the economy. Turnbull specifically mentioned a handful of major broadcasters – including Sky News and 7 News – that he says “play a disproportionate role in shaping public opinion.”

In his own words, “The media that we think of as the ‘right‑wing’ have been the biggest champions of the fossil‑fuel narrative. They have been pushing the narrative that net‑zero is a threat to jobs and to the Australian economy.” He claims that this narrative has been used to justify policy decisions that he describes as “short‑sighted.”

Turnbull’s allegations echo a broader narrative that has surfaced in Australian politics. Several critics, including climate scientists and opposition MPs, have accused the coalition of prioritizing the mining sector over the environment. Turnbull’s claims therefore resonate with both the public and politicians that are uneasy about the coalition’s “free‑market” stance on climate change.

Turnbull’s background and credibility

When Turnbull made his remarks, he explained that he has a background in climate‑policy, as he was the first Prime Minister to announce the “Australia’s Climate Change Strategy” in 2009. He described his own administration as “the most forward‑thinking” in terms of climate policy – even if the policies were later rolled back.

The former Prime Minister also mentioned that his own climate strategy included a 20‑percent reduction in emissions by 2020, a plan that was widely praised by environmental NGOs. Turnbull said that the policies he championed were designed to keep Australia competitive on a global stage while still protecting the planet.

The reaction to the criticism

The Liberal Party has not yet issued a formal response to Turnbull’s statements. The party’s spokesperson, however, is expected to defend the coalition’s track record in terms of investment in renewable energy and clean‑tech initiatives. While the party has announced “new targets” for renewables in 2030, it has so far been silent about the net‑zero timeline.

On social media, many members of the public, especially environmental activists, welcomed Turnbull’s comments. Some argued that the former PM’s statements “highlight the disconnect” between the coalition’s public messaging and its actual policies. Others countered that Turnbull’s “retrospective” view of his own tenure might be “politically motivated.”

What does this mean for the future of net‑zero policy in Australia?

Turnbull’s criticisms point to a broader debate that has become increasingly prominent in Australian politics: whether the coalition is capable of delivering an ambitious climate agenda. His remarks may prompt the Liberal Party to revisit its policies. Alternatively, they could be a warning that the party’s leadership is out of step with the electorate, which is increasingly demanding concrete action to tackle climate change.

The former Prime Minister has said that he will continue to push for a clear net‑zero plan. He has called for an “independent inquiry” into the party’s climate strategy and for a “re‑imagining” of the coalition’s policy agenda. Whether the coalition will heed this warning remains to be seen, but Turnbull’s remarks have undoubtedly added a new layer to the political debate surrounding Australia’s environmental future.

In conclusion

Malcolm Turnbull’s recent criticism of the Liberal Party has added a new dimension to the debate over Australia’s net‑zero ambition. By accusing the party of abandoning its commitments and attributing the shift to “right‑wing media,” Turnbull has highlighted the political dynamics that may be steering the country’s environmental policy. Whether his allegations spark a policy review or simply fuel partisan debates remains to be seen – but one thing is clear: the conversation about net‑zero in Australia is far from over.