7am Sussan Ley and the killing season to come
Nov 14, 2025
Karen Middleton, a seasoned press gallery journalist and political commentator, delves into the Liberal Party's recent decision to scrap net zero. She reveals the internal divisions among conservative MPs, signaling a leadership crisis for Sussan Ley. Middleton explores the party's shift towards a technology-led emissions reduction strategy while emphasizing the electoral risks of alienating key voting blocs. She critiques Ley's leadership style, highlighting the challenges of guiding a fractious party amid rising pressures and the implications for democracy.
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Politics Drove The Net‑Zero Reversal
- The Liberal Party's net-zero reversal is a political calculation to unite its factions rather than a purely scientific decision.
- Sussan Ley attempted a hybrid position to bridge conservatives and moderates but sacrificed clarity for party unity.
Future Tech Replaces Deadlines
- The Liberals lean heavily on future technologies like carbon capture and nuclear to avoid rapid fossil fuel cuts today.
- They still commit to the Paris Agreement but avoid binding deadlines that force quick action.
City Seats Are The Strategic Dilemma
- The party lost key inner-city 'teal' seats and faces a debate about whether those electorates are recoverable.
- Some Liberals insist they must fight for those heartland city seats to have any hope of government.