Coalition's eight-point plan would drop carbon penalties for big emitters and scrap climate targets

Australia's Coalition has proposed an eight-point energy plan that would remove carbon penalties for big emitters, scrap the safeguard mechanism, and repeal the Climate Change Act. The plan also includes lifting the ban on nuclear power and removing wind energy zones. Shadow minister Dan Tehan says emission reductions would become voluntary, arguing the current system taxes industry and sends jobs overseas. The plan would also repeal the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard. The Coalition has not yet set a new emissions reduction target, saying a separate policy will be released later. The proposal would also require the Australian Energy Regulator to focus on affordability and reliability. Critics point out that voluntary markets without a price signal may not drive real reductions, and that nuclear timelines are long while coal plants close. The plan is likely to be a key issue in the next federal election.