Opposition Leader Says He Believes in Climate Change Following Leaders’ Debate

Peter Dutton says he backs the climate science in response to questions on the Coalition’s position on net zero.

An aerial view of of wind turbines in Port Augusta, South Australia on Feb. 25, 2025. Brook Mitchell/Getty Images

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton says he believes in climate change science after sustained pressure from Labor and media outlets during the ABC leaders’ debate.

Dutton said he would leave it to scientists to assess the impacts of climate change on April 17.

“I believe in climate change and that is a reality, it is widely adopted, our position in relation to net zero by 2050,” Dutton told reporters.

“We are a party that wants to deliver reliable power, cheaper power and meet our emission reductions. And that is demonstrated in our policy around nuclear.”

During the debate, Dutton conceded there was “an impact” when probed about the effects of climate change, during the debate a day earlier.

The opposition leader was campaigning in the New South Wales Hunter region, where he is trying to take the seats of Paterson held by Labor’s Meryl Swanson, and Hunter, held by Labor MP Dan Repacholi.

Australia now has some of the highest electricity prices in the world.

“Where in Australia has the highest electricity prices? It’s South Australia,” said shadow energy spokesperson Ted O'Brien said on Facebook recently.

Liberal Party Opposition Leader Peter Dutton speaks during a Leadership Matters breakfast in Perth, Australia on April 11, 2025. Matt Jelonek/Getty Images

Colleagues Stand By Dutton’s Stance

Following the debate, shadow home affairs spokesperson, James Paterson, stood by Dutton’s climate change stance saying, “Yes, of course he does.”

“We’re committed to the Paris Agreement. We’re committed to net zero by 2050,” Paterson said.

“Peter does accept the science of climate change. He said that repeatedly.”

Coalition Shadow Finance Minister Jane Hume also backed the position.

“Well, I personally believe in climate change. I know that Peter Dutton does,” she said on ABC Radio National breakfast on April 17.

Albanese ‘Stunned’

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was “stunned” by Dutton’s stance on climate change during the leader’s debate.

“I would have thought that the science is very clear on climate change,” Albanese said.

The prime minister pointed to ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred’s movements in the heavily populated region of south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales (NSW).

“When you have a tropical cyclone headed for the coastline here of south-east Queensland and northern NSW, I don’t know what it takes to give a wake-up call to the Coalition. After a decade of denial and delay, it is time that we continue to have a government that understands the need to be part of global action on climate change,” Albanese told reporters on April 17.

Labor’s Net Zero Plan

The Labor Party previously pledge to shift the country’s energy grid by 2030 so that it is 82 percent comprised of renewable sources.

Both parties have committed to reaching net zero by 2050.

If re-elected, Labor says the Clean Energy Finance Corporation will unlock $8 billion of renewable energy investment.

“Our plan, which stays the course with an appropriate mix of more renewable energy, backed by storage, gas, household batteries, and transmission, delivers the cheapest, most reliable form of energy and reduces emissions,” said Energy Minister Chris Bowen at the recent energy ministers’ debate.

In contrast, the federal opposition says it will incorporate nuclear power into its net zero plan.