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The Nationals’ rejection of net zero policy is not just a setback for climate action; it is a symptom of a deeper malaise in Australia’s two-party-dominated system (“Nationals officially dump net-zero climate target”, November 3). By entrenching coal-friendly obstructionism within the Coalition, the Nationals have effectively vetoed meaningful progress on emissions reduction despite broad public support for ambitious targets. This exposes how minor parties with outsized influence can paralyse national policy on important issues. Australia could look to Europe’s multi-party coalition models, particularly Germany’s, for a more mature and effective path forward. In Germany, grand coalitions between the centre-left and centre-right parties have delivered stable governance and landmark climate reforms. These alliances sideline fringe voices while forcing compromise between mainstream parties, producing durable policy rather than ideological gridlock. Labor and the moderate Liberals should explore a similar grand coalition. This could isolate climate denialists in the Nationals and One Nation, marginalise the Greens’ extremism and unlock bipartisan support for a credible net zero pathway. This is not about abandoning principles – it’s about governing responsibly. Australia’s major parties once co-operated on gun reform and superannuation. Climate demands the same pragmatism. Australians deserve a coalition of the sensible centre to deliver climate policy. Han Yang, North Turramurra In abandoning net zero, the Nationals have not only betrayed their base but also sent a clear message to regional voters about where their true loyalty lies. There can now be no doubt – it is with the mining companies and not the voters, who are suffering the consequences of climate change. The next election is now an IQ test for regional voters. Keith Binns, Goulburn The Nationals are stuck in a global warming culture war started by Tony Abbott and continued by Scott Morrison and Barnaby Joyce. They may retain many of their regional seats through a scare campaign against climate action, but it will certainly consign the Coalition to the opposition benches for a long time. Most Australians accept climate change as a fact and want governments to take strong action. Bipin Johri, Epping As the National Party continues its campaign against the rational development of renewable energy, their spokespeople are backing their position by quoting from a recent publication from the Page Research Centre titled “Delivering a High Energy Australia”. The centre is named after Sir Earle Page, an extraordinary surgeon, politician, entrepreneur and an early adopter driven to continuously improve the technology and systems he worked with. He would have understood the sources and consequences of anthropogenic global warming, its effects on agriculture and human health. I imagine he would be surprised at the opinions now being published by an institution that bears his name. Marjorie Sutcliffe, The Rocks Just wondering if “net zero” refers to the number of seats gained by the Coalition at the last federal election, the number of its coherent policies or Sussan Ley’s chance of remaining its leader? Craig Jory, Albury The Nationals’ decision to walk away from strong climate action is the ideological tail wagging the policy dog. Mark Wills, Northcote (Vic)
