Morrison’s net zero plan: how the media will react

Not merely have we found Scott Morrison’s net zero plan wafting back from a short time in the future, but we’ve also caught a glimpse of how the media covered it.

The Australian

“Scott Morrison has fundamentally changed Australia’s economic trajectory and singlehandedly ended Australia’s climate wars, which have contributed to the defeat of five prime ministers before him, including the mighty John Howard.

“His ZERO plan is at once a political masterstroke and work of policy genius that will prevent growing international hysteria over climate from affecting our exports, while preserving regional and blue-collar jobs. There is no doubt that Morrison will go down as one of Australia’s greatest prime ministers for this achievement alone.”

The Sydney Morning Herald/The Age

“Scott Morrison has been happy to let the impression of him struggling to deal with the Nationals on climate continue. Insiders have explained that it served as cover while he and his team did the hard work of assembling a package that would get the Nationals over the line.

“Far from being an impediment to a deal that many left-wing critics maintained, the return of Barnaby Joyce to the deputy prime ministership was, according to sources close to Morrison, crucial for the prime minister — if he could deliver Joyce, he could be sure even the most aggressive Nats would fall into line. While the headlines focused on clashes between ministers, Morrison’s top advisers identified what would deliver Joyce and set about getting it.

“And far from being the bumbling, incoherent buffoon he presents as in the media, Joyce proved a sharp negotiator who played his cards well — but knew when he’d got the best deal he could. It’s a triumph of coalition politics.

“Scott Morrison has brilliantly wedged Labor and set himself up for a clear run to the election with his net zero deal, which at a stroke removes a major source of tension within the Coalition and puts the spotlight on Labor’s climate policy, which has torn that party apart.

“Voters now know what Morrison will do on climate and how he will do it — in direct contrast to Labor, which continues to bicker among itself over both the goals and mechanisms for achieving them. Nor can Labor object to the essentials of Morrison’s ZERO plan — it was Kevin Rudd, after all, who hailed carbon capture and storage as an important answer to climate change; it is Labor that has constantly called for a ‘just transition’ for regional workers and Labor has backed both inland rail and its extension to Gladstone.”

The Australian Financial Review

“While the Australian Financial Review has long advocated the market mechanism of a carbon price to achieve the important task of emissions reduction — albeit not the flawed models previously advanced by Labor governments — the need for a resolution to Australia’s longstanding, politically paralysing climate wars has become of increasing urgency. Scott Morrison’s commitment to net zero by 2050 brings those climate wars to an end in a definitive fashion — albeit at a high cost to the budget.

“Nonetheless, the plan deserves a guarded welcome given it will remove climate change from the political agenda in favour of more important issues such as corporate tax cuts, labour market deregulation and greater incentives to invest in Australia. It will also ensure that Australia is not punished by protectionist measures such as the carbon tariffs under consideration by the European Union. It has taken too long and cost too much, but Scott Morrison has finally caught up with the rest of the world on climate.”

Nine News

“Scott Morrison will take centre stage with other world leaders at the Glasgow climate conference later this month after finalising a deal that will see Australia producing zero greenhouse emissions in 2050. The package, negotiated with National leader Barnaby Joyce, will see $19 billion in new investment for regional Australia, and sets Australia up to lead the world in the fight against climate change. We cross live now to…”

ABC TV news

“Regional Australia is set for a windfall of investment and jobs as a result of the Morrison government’s $19 billion Zero Emission Renewables Opportunities plan, which will see Australia reach net zero emissions by 2050 via new technologies. Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the plan is good for jobs, good for the environment and will contribute to the global effort to reduce emissions — and he’s backed by Nationals Leader Barnaby Joyce.”