Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie has signaled he may resign or be removed from his position if the Coalition does not abandon its goal of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The Western Australian MP has been vocal in his opposition to this target as pressure mounts on opposition leader Sussan Ley to clarify the Liberals' stance on net zero emissions.

When asked about his future if Ley supports the target, Hastie stated, "That leaves me without a job." He emphasized his commitment to building a stronger and more competitive Australia, highlighting energy security as a crucial factor. "I've nailed my colours to the mast," he said during an interview with ABC Radio Perth. Hastie described the net zero policy as a "straitjacket for our economy and our country."

The urgency of the climate debate is underscored by Australia's first National Climate Risk Assessment, which warns that 1.5 million Australians are at risk from rising sea levels by 2050. The report indicates that 597,000 people currently live in areas that will be exposed to sea level rises by 2030, with Queensland identified as having 18 of the 20 most vulnerable regions.

Hastie dismissed the assessment as "climate alarmism," claiming it was produced by "politically compromised, economically insulated public servants who are running cover for Labor." He argued that the best approach for Australians is to focus on reducing energy prices, stating, "The best thing we can do for the Australian people is to have a target to get prices down, for affordable electricity, affordable gas, so families have more disposable income."

Hastie's comments come after a challenging week for the Coalition. Last week, Jacinta Nampijinpa Price was removed from the Coalition frontbench following a dispute over her remarks regarding Indian Australians. Ley publicly criticized her comments and subsequently moved her to the backbench after she failed to express support for Ley's leadership.

"Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has failed the test of high standards that I have set for members of my shadow ministry," Ley stated on Wednesday. Hastie remarked that Price's demotion was "inevitable," noting that Ley had no choice because Price did not support her leadership.

When asked if he fully supports Ley, Hastie replied, "She has my support … I wouldn't be sitting here speaking with you as the shadow minister for home affairs."