BREAKING: A former Liberal senator, Hollie Hughes, has just announced her resignation from the party, signaling a significant rift as the coalition grapples with internal divisions over climate policies. This urgent development unfolds as current leader Sussan Ley outlines the party’s controversial stance on energy and its decision to abandon a net zero emissions target by 2050.
In a poignant Facebook post, Hughes expressed her support for Ley amid rising internal criticism, stating, “Now I no longer have the ability to support Sussan in the Party Room, I believe I can best support her… from outside of the Party.” Her departure raises alarm bells within the coalition, highlighting the fractures over climate strategy just as Ley hinted at the possibility of subsidizing new coal-fired power stations.
Ley, addressing party members, clarified that while the theoretical plan to support new coal power stations exists, it is “highly unlikely” to materialize unless it proves financially viable. This statement comes after party insiders perceived her abandonment of the net zero target as a significant concession to conservative factions, including the National Party.
Concern is mounting within the coalition, with Senator Andrew Bragg warning against the “fragmentation of the centre right” over disagreements on climate change policy. He urged party members who opposed the decision to drop the 2050 target to remain united: “This outcome is not a reason to walk away from the party,” he stated. Bragg emphasized the Liberal Party’s legacy of managing crises, asserting, “There’s no doubt we will be forced to do it again when it comes to energy.”
Hughes and Bragg both invoked the name of Robert Menzies, the architect of the modern Liberal Party, stressing the need for unity among non-Labor voices in the face of escalating tensions. Hughes expressed gratitude to supporters, underscoring her commitment to Menzies’ values in her new role outside the party.
As the Liberal Party navigates this turbulent period, the implications of these developments are profound. With internal dissent growing and a crucial battle over climate policy looming, all eyes are on how the coalition will respond in the coming days. The urgency for the party to present a cohesive plan is clear as they prepare for a potentially contentious political landscape ahead.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
