Australia news LIVE: Scientists criticise new 2035 climate target; Trump unveils military plans to counter China

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8.26am

Littleproud: Climate targets ‘an expensive charade’

By Emily Kaine

Leader of the National Party David Littleproud has called the government’s 2035 climate targets “an expensive charade”.

“The detail that Chris Bowen doesn’t want to talk about hasn’t been put in those reports... If Chris Bowen is so passionate about his plan, tell us the cost,” Littleproud said on Radio National this morning. “[Labor] will not give you a straight answer about what the energy grid will actually cost.”

“We believe in climate change. We believe there’s ways to do it, but not necessarily Labor’s way. So what you can see in that report is, if you do look at Labor’s history, they haven’t reduced emissions at all in the last three years. They’ve flatlined,” said the Nationals leader.

He also said the government’s climate targets focus disproportionately on reduction of emissions rather than mitigation, insisting that his party’s policy would instead “look at mitigation, and try to mitigate emissions here as part of a global perspective.”

“I’m going to find a way that will make sure that [Australians] can afford it and that we’ve adapted to a changing climate, protected our economy, but protected them. That’s what leadership is.”

8.03am

Bowen ‘understands’ criticism, but doubles down on climate targets

By Emily Kaine

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said he “understands” and “respects” the commentary of critics and scientists who say the government’s climate targets do not go far enough in tackling climate change, but has doubled down on yesterday’s announcement that Australia aims to cut emissions by 62-70 per cent of 2005 levels by 2035.

“With all due respect to those commentators who say we should be doing more, they don’t need to deliver. The government does, and the government has set out yesterday, not only a target, but a comprehensive plan to help us get there,” he said on Radio National this morning.

“I believe acting on climate change is a huge economic opportunity for our country. I really do believe that, but I also believe it has to be managed carefully and calibrated carefully, the biggest economic transition in our country’s history does need to be handled carefully ... And my job is to deliver.”

Energy and Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen.

Bowen also said electricity prices would be higher if the transition to clean energy was delayed.

“The modelling was undertaken to help the government make a decision in the national interest. The target we set out yesterday is the best economic model for the country, and prices will be higher if we delay the transition or pretend it’s not happening,” he said on ABC News Breakfast.

Responding to criticisms that the 2035 target was not ambitious enough in combatting the projected impacts of climate change, Bowen told Radio National: “A target higher than 70 [per cent] would involve unacceptable environmental, social and economic costs for our country.”

Asked whether he thinks yesterday’s announcement would affect Australia’s bid to host COP31 – the UN’s next annual climate summit – he said: “The Pacific is strongly backing our bid … And the situation remains that the vast majority of the constituency supports our bid.”

The final decision on who will host the summit is expected to be made this month.

7.35am

Climate target ‘the right plan for the economy and jobs’, says Butler

By Emily Kaine

Health Minister Mark Butler has said that Australia’s plan to transition to clean energy, outlined in yesterday’s announcement of the government’s new 2035 climate targets, is “the right plan for the economy and jobs”.

“What energy industry investors have been telling us for years now is they want a clear plan about how we’re going to make this transition to clean energy that is happening right around the world, and I’m sure that yesterday’s plan is the right plan for Australia, a plan for our climate consistent with the scientific advice, but importantly, it’s the right plan for the economy and for jobs,” Butler told Seven’s Sunrise this morning.

Butler pointed to Treasury modelling unveiled by Treasurer Jim Chalmers yesterday, saying the government’s plan is “by far the most beneficial plan for our economy over the next few decades”.

Asked whether the government’s goal to generate 90 per cent of electricity from renewables within 10 years was a lofty one, he said: “We’re very confident about that. Every time this country has set a renewable energy target, people have said we’ll never get there. Not only do we always get there, we usually surpass it as well.”

Replacing coal-fired power stations with renewable energy infrastructure is a key part of this plan to transition to renewable energy infrastructure, Butler said.

7.04am

Climate target ‘putting next generation’s futures at risk’: Ryan

By Emily Kaine

Independent MP Monique Ryan has said that the government’s new 2035 climate target to cut emissions by 62-70 per cent of 2005 levels “doesn’t go nearly far enough” in curbing the threats of climate change.

“It doesn’t go nearly far enough. The National Climate Risk Assessment, which was released earlier this week, said a target of 62 per cent would put us on target for 2 degrees of global warming,” Ryan told Nine’s Today show this morning.

“That would mean that we would lose all of our coral reefs. The science is clear. These targets are not nearly enough. We’re putting the next generation’s futures at risk.”

“I’m incredibly disappointed by the government’s announcement from yesterday, and I know that scientists and the academics and the various organisations, which have provided the government with a pathway to net zero much more quickly than they presented to us yesterday, are incredibly disappointed as well,” she said.

Climate scientists have heavily criticised the new target, while the government has maintained that it must be at once ambitious and achievable. “A target over 70 is not achievable,” Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said yesterday. “We have gone for the maximum level of ambition that’s achievable.”

6.49am

Climate scientists savage new 2035 target

By Nick O'Malley

Climate scientists have savaged Australia’s new climate targets after the government announced the new emissions reduction target of 62 to 70 per cent on 2005 levels by 2035 yesterday.

“It’s worse than I feared,” said Bill Hare, one of the founders of the non-governmental policy institute, Climate Analytics, adding that a 2035 target of 76 per cent is necessary for Australia to align with the goal of holding warming to close to 1.5 degrees.

“It’s baffling that in the same week the government could release a terrifying document warning Australians of a grim future if global warming continues … and then turn around and agree to a target that if all others followed, would lead to warming of at least 2 degrees.”

At 1.5 degrees of warming, the Great Barrier Reef would shrink and continue to be battered by coral bleaching events, according to the government’s own National Climate Risk Assessment. At 2 degrees, it is expected to die.

“No climate scientist on the planet would say this target aligns with limiting warming [to] 1.5 degrees,” said Dr Simon Bradshaw, a climate researcher with environmental activist group Greenpeace.

Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen was unrepentant, saying that Australia’s target must be at once ambitious and achievable.

Read more from National Environment and Climate Editor Nick O’Malley.

6.49am

Trump unveils military plans to counter China

By David Crowe

In a press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a state visit to the UK, US President Donald Trump unveiled new military plans to counter China’s influence.

Trump aired plans to assert American control of a central air base in Afghanistan to ensure US forces are close to Chinese nuclear facilities to curb threats from the rising military superpower.

“We’re trying to get it back because they need things from us. We want that base back. But one of the reasons we want the base is, as you know, it’s an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons,” Trump told the press.

Donald Trump shakes Keir Starmer’s hand during a joint appearance at Chequers.

During the press conference, Starmer expressed his condemnation of the murder of American conservative Charlie Kirk and insisted that the UK would defend free speech, while Trump repeated his opinion that late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel deserved to be taken off-air.

The leaders agreed to disagree on the recognition of a Palestinian state, as a new Israeli offensive pushes further into Gaza City this week.

6.49am

What’s making news this morning

By Emily Kaine

Good morning and welcome to the national news live blog for Friday, the 19th of September. I’m Emily Kaine, and I’ll be leading our coverage through the morning. Here’s what is making headlines today.

In a press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a state visit to the UK, US President Donald Trump unveiled new military plans to counter China’s influence. A key component of the plans is to assert American control of a central air base in Afghanistan to ensure US forces are close to Chinese nuclear facilities to curb threats from the rising military superpower.
Climate scientists have savaged Australia’s new climate targets after the government announced the new emissions reduction target of 62 to 70 per cent on 2005 levels by 2035 yesterday. The government has defended the target, maintaining that it must be at once ambitious and achievable.
Trump has threatened TV networks over criticism of him on late-night talk shows, suggesting the networks stand to lose their broadcasting licences for speaking out against him. The Democrats launched an investigation into the indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel by the ABC yesterday.
17-year-old Australian sprinter Gout Gout has missed out on the world championships final in Tokyo after finishing fourth in the 200-metre semi-final. Gout’s time was the 18th quickest overall.