The political turmoil within the Coalition over climate policy is proving to be a golden opportunity for Labor, but as Paul Keating once famously quipped, ‘to run the joint’ requires far more than just capitalizing on the opposition’s chaos. And this is the part most people miss: while Labor stands to gain from the Coalition’s internal strife, the real test lies in their ability to navigate their own ambitious climate agenda amidst global and domestic challenges.
After a particularly chaotic week in federal parliament, Treasurer Jim Chalmers delivered a thought-provoking speech at the Crawford School of the Australian National University on Thursday night. Fresh off a frenzied House of Representatives session—marked by a record-breaking 40 divisions in a single day—Chalmers reflected on the complexities of crafting effective public policy. He framed Australia’s economic history in three distinct eras: the agricultural and colonial period of the early 1900s, the post-World War II industrial boom shielded by trade tariffs, and the modern era since the 1980s, characterized by globalization and economic liberalization. Chalmers warned that Australia is overdue for a new economic era, emphasizing, ‘We can’t afford to drift along the path of least resistance. Not when the world is changing at an unprecedented pace. That path leads only to mediocrity and stagnation.’ His words serve as a rallying cry for federal parliamentarians, particularly those in the Albanese government, to rise above complacency.
But here’s where it gets controversial: While Labor watches the Coalition unravel over its inability to unite on net zero emissions by 2050, they must resist the temptation to slow down their own climate ambitions. The Nationals’ recent abandonment of net zero support—a move led by coal advocate Matt Canavan—and the Liberals’ internal struggles under opposition leader Sussan Ley highlight the deep divisions within the Coalition. Ley, already under fire from right-wing MPs, is expected to backtrack on her previous climate commitments, further weakening her position. Meanwhile, Labor believes voters have decisively embraced climate action, as evidenced by their landslide victory over Peter Dutton in May.
Yet, Labor’s path is far from smooth. The party faces immense pressure to meet its 2035 emissions target, which requires halving current emissions, doubling decarbonization rates, and massive investments in renewable energy infrastructure. Add to this the global economic headwinds, including the uncertainties of Donald Trump’s presidency and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s recent admission at COP30 that international consensus on climate change is waning. Is Labor’s ambitious agenda realistic, or are they setting themselves up for failure?
Chalmers’ speech drew inspiration from Paul Keating’s pragmatic approach to governance. Recounting Keating’s famous rebuke to Jim Cairns—‘I’m here to run the joint, not just protest’—Chalmers underscored the need for bold, decisive leadership. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Climate Minister Chris Bowen have already taken steps in this direction, announcing plans to provide households with three hours of free renewable power daily. However, their ability to ‘run the joint’ will be tested not just by the Coalition’s dysfunction, but by their own capacity to deliver on complex, politically sensitive reforms.
As the world watches, Labor must prove that they are not just beneficiaries of the Coalition’s chaos, but architects of a sustainable future. What do you think? Can Labor rise to the challenge, or will they falter under the weight of their ambitions? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
