Sussan Ley is expected to dump net zero to preserve her leadership, but her detractors believe a challenge in the new year is "almost unavoidable" even if she settles the messy climate debate.

Ditching the pledge to reach net zero emissions by 2050 is a view now in the "ascendancy" internally and is the likely outcome of a Liberal Party meeting slated to take place before the final parliament sitting at the end of November, according to party sources.

Despite moderates describing this as a "red line" and warning of electoral disaster if the Liberals follow the Nationals in opposing net zero, support for abandoning the target has hardened in recent days.

Liberals shifting towards dumping net zero

The centre of debate inside the Liberals appears to be shifting towards dumping net zero, f

See Full Page