Teal MP Urges Albanese to Call Early Climate Change Election

Wind turbines are seen on the horizon at sunset in Albany, Western Australia, on May 19, 2024. (Susan Mortimer/The Epoch Times)

Teal MP Monique Ryan is calling on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to hold an early election to settle the climate change debate.

Speculation on the election date has emerged in recent days after Mr. Albanese cancelled a trip to a NATO Summit in Washington. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles will be attending instead.

Ms. Ryan wrote to Mr. Albanese asking for an early election to create economic certainty for business amid the climate debate.

“I write to request that you consider calling an early election before irreparable damage is done to future generations by undermining of Australia’s transformation to a clean energy economy,” Ms. Ryan said.

The Teal MP said she was not making the request lightly, believing governments should where possible, complete their full terms.

“Prime Minister, the stakes have never been higher leading into a federal election. Our children and grandchildren’s economic future—their jobs, wellbeing, and prosperity—will be shaped by our response to climate change,” she said.

“Waiting until May next year to address these questions risks undermining the country’s economic future. We need to settle the debate this year.”

Ms. Ryan believes these are exceptional circumstances due to Mr. Dutton’s nuclear policy announcement and decision to oppose the 2030 emissions reduction target.

In Ms. Ryan’s view, Australia is going through the greatest economic transformation since the industrial revolution.

“Business has made it clear that to unlock the tens of billions of dollars of investment that our nation needs to transition to a net zero economy, it needs an unwavering commitment from our government to a single plan,” Ms. Ryan said.

“Tens of thousands of jobs, and tens of billions of dollars of investment, are on the line. At a time where economic certainty is needed, the return of Australia’s climate wars is risking our long-term prosperity.”

The teal MP’s are backed by the fundraising giant “Climate 200” and include Ms. Ryan, Zali Steggall, Allegra Spender, Kate Chaney, Zoe Daniel, and Sophie Scamps.

Albanese Previously Expressed Support for 4-Year Terms

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has previously confirmed the federal election is due in May 2025 and claimed terms are too short at just three years.

“Our view, our long-term policy, and we’ve put it to the Australian people, is for four-year terms, but I don’t anticipate that happening any time soon and I think that’s unfortunate,” Mr. Albanese said during a press conference on Jan. 4.

“Every single state has four years. If you go around the world, there are more elections, democratic elections, this year than at any time in global history.

Coalition Hearing Building Talk of Early Election

Mr. Dutton reportedly told the Coalition party room in recent days that Labor is considering an early election.

Liberal Senator Jane Hume also told Sunrise the signs are pointing to an early election, explaining that the Coalition is hearing this rumour in the parliament building.

However, when asked about an early election, Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil said it is “not the government’s focus at all.”

“Our one and only focus right now is what matters to your viewers watching at home and that is helping them manage the bills that are piling up and that’s what we’re focused on at the moment. It’s not politics, it is people’s lives,” she said.

She described the parliament house as being very much like a schoolyard in a variety of ways and said she pays no attention to rumours about a potential reshuffle.

“I’ve got a really big an important job that I do for the country and that’s my focus genuinely each and every day,” she said.

How Do the Major Parties Differ on Climate Policy?

Opposition leader Peter Dutton is proposing to build seven nuclear reactors in Australia if he wins the next election.

The Coalition argues that no country in the world relies entirely on solar and wind, but 32 operate zero-emissions nuclear plants and 50 are considering it.

The nuclear reactors would be located at coal power stations that have closed or are scheduled to close.

These include the Liddell and Mount Piper power stations in New South Wales, the Loy Yang power stations in Victoria, and the Callide and Tarong Power stations in Queensland.

Small modular reactors would be built at the Northern Power Station in South Australia and the Muja Power Station in Western Australia.

In contrast, the Labor Party opposes nuclear energy and aims to achieve net zero with 100 percent renewable energy supported by gas.

Labor is committed to net zero by 2050 and reducing emissions by 43 percent by 2030. The Coalition argues the 2030 target is unachievable, but supports the net zero by 2050 goal.