24/05/2026
A major divide has erupted inside the Coalition over whether Australia should remain in the Paris climate agreement, exposing growing tensions over net zero, energy prices, and the nation’s international climate commitments.
Liberal Senator Alex Antic has broken ranks with Coalition leaders, declaring Australia “should walk out” of the Paris Agreement and follow the United States in abandoning the global climate pact.
Speaking to Sky News, Senator Antic rejected claims the agreement was merely symbolic, warning it has “real-world force” on Australian laws and policies.
“We should walk out. It's as simple as that,” he said.
Senator Antic argued international treaties can influence domestic legislation through constitutional powers and said governments were misleading Australians by downplaying the impact of such agreements.
“It’s a complete misnomer that the Paris agreement is just a piece of paper,” he said.
His stance puts him at odds with Opposition Leader Angus Taylor, who this week ruled out formally withdrawing from the Paris Agreement despite promising to scrap net zero policies.
Mr Taylor said leaving the agreement would not change the Coalition’s plans, insisting the focus should instead be on lowering energy prices and increasing energy supply.
“We will get rid of net zero,” Mr Taylor said.
“We’re not proposing to get out of the Paris Agreement because, frankly, it’s not going to change anything we’re going to do.”
Nationals leader Matt Canavan also stepped back from his previous support for leaving the accord, calling it a “symbolic gesture” and a distraction from bigger political battles.
“We don’t have time to waste on side quests,” Mr Canavan said.
The Nationals leader said the Coalition’s priorities should be scrapping net zero, building coal-fired power stations, cutting energy costs, and reversing Labor’s migration policies.
Mr Canavan also argued the Paris Agreement itself is not legally binding and claimed countries can remain part of the accord while still expanding coal and oil industries.
The clash highlights a growing internal debate within the Coalition over how far Australia should go in rejecting international climate policies while tackling the cost-of-living and energy crisis.