This paper argues that the incoming Albanese Government’s Powering Australia plan outlines a path forward to greater climate ambition and emissions reduction for Australia. However, to truly end the 'climate wars' and overcome the political shortsightedness that has paralysed Australian climate policy for over a decade, the federal government and this Parliament must do more.

It is important to plan further ahead than its higher-ambition 2030 target, and even beyond 2050. Prioritising the initiatives outlined in this paper will ensure the right stepping stones are in place to guide Australia onto an accelerating trajectory of emissions reductions towards net-zero and even net-negative emissions by 2050.