Angus Taylor, leader of the opposition Coalition, has pledged to repeal a series of emissions reduction and renewable energy policies within a month of becoming prime minister. On Wednesday, Taylor’s energy spokesperson, Dan Tehan, announced plans to introduce a new bill into parliament within 30 days of a Coalition victory in the next federal election. This bill would aim to ensure energy is affordable, reliable, and secure for Australians. The proposed legislation includes eight previously announced opposition policies, including removing the safeguard mechanism and nuclear prohibitions—both introduced by previous Coalition governments. The bill would also include several key changes: removing vehicle emissions standards, revoking the legislated target of achieving net zero emissions by 2050, and canceling four of six offshore wind energy zones planned for completion by the late 2030s—specifically the Hunter, Illawarra, Southern Ocean, and Bunbury regions. It would introduce a code of conduct for renewable energy developers and prioritize energy affordability and reliability in state and territory funding. Additionally, it would shift the Australian Energy Regulator’s focus to affordability and reliability over environmental goals. Taylor defended the plan at a press conference, stating that “Australia has done its bit” and that the strategy would allow for “technologies emerging with lower emissions that Australians want to choose.” However, Energy Minister Chris Bowen criticized the plan as a “chainsaw to the economy and household budgets,” arguing it would “make Australia poorer, weaker and less secure from global shocks.” He warned that the Coalition’s plan to “stop renewables and household batteries” and extend the life of existing coal power stations would force households to “pick up the bill of global shocks.” The proposed policy reversal has drawn sharp criticism from across the political spectrum. Kooyong MP Monique Ryan and acting Greens leader Mehreen Faruqi called the plan “dumb, dangerous, and desperate climate denial” that would make energy more expensive and unreliable. Ryan accused the Coalition of taking the country backwards, while Faruqi criticized the Labor government for its support of fossil fuels. Environment groups, including the Australian Conservation Foundation, have also condemned the plan, arguing that renewable energy with storage is the most reliable and affordable, while nuclear power is costly and would require public funding. Climate advocacy groups have labeled the Coalition’s announcement as “pure ideology” rooted in years of climate denial. The Climate Council’s chief executive, Amanda McKenzie, said the plan would “let climate change rip” and leave Australians vulnerable to more extreme weather events. Farmers for Climate Action, a group representing over 8,000 farmers, expressed deep disappointment, calling the decision to abandon pollution reduction policies “crazy.” They emphasized that increased pollution would lead to more fires, droughts, and higher insurance costs, contradicting claims that the policies are designed to protect farmers.