Up and down with climate politics 2013-2016: the repeal of carbon pricing in Australia

The 2013 election of Australia’s conservative Abbott Coalition (Liberal and National parties) government saw the repeal of carbon pricing, (which had previously been implemented by the Labor government in 2012), assume the first order of business. This Focus article reviews expert and political commentary and analysis of the repeal, and provides an overview of the Abbott government’s dismantling and attempted dismantling of other climate initiatives. It reviews commentary and critiques of the government’s substitute Direct Action (DA) policy and its capacity to reduce emissions. The views of the international community on the Abbott government’s repositioning of Australia’s climate policy are considered, as are the prospects of achieving effective emissions reduction policy under Abbott’s successor, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. The paper notes the role of the Senate in both assisting and frustrating government reforms, as well as aspects of policy continuity that could see a form of carbon pricing revived in future. It explores the correlation between the political ascension of Tony Abbott and his rejection of carbon pricing, whether his substitute DA mechanism will effectively reduce emissions, and the adequacy of Australia’s current global climate policy aspirations.