On the face of it , I see it as a backward step. We know what Joyce and Canavan's view on coal is. McKenzie doesn't seem interested at all in zero emissions going on her statements this week.
So, it appears we would be heading back to the days of Abbott and Turnbull where progress slows and almost stops. All because of internal politics. Without the weight of numbers in the coalition, no politician in favor of emission reduction is going to stand up. We have witnessed them hiding out of sight for the last decade on this.
That said, a lot has changed in the last 3 years. The Biden election being the biggest one. More and more people are agreeable to emission reduction. Power companies are getting out of coal regardless. Auto manufacturers are getting out of ice.
I think this is going to cause a big split in the Coalition.
Morrison has managed to keep the RWNJs of the Nationals under control the past three years. Mainly because he didn't have to worry about Joyce, Canavan or McKenzie being on the front bench. He has been able to slowly sneak toward a zero emission target without causing too much ruckus .
Now, the game has changed completely. The Nationals have the Coalition by the short and curlies. Joyce and Canavan won't be sitting back now. They will be front and center. Everything that Morrison has tried to achieve will be trashed and therefore , this will come to a head.
As a result, climate change may well be the main issue at the next election.
