The Morrison Government’s climate denialism is jeopardising Australia’s planned free trade agreements with the European Union and the United Kingdom.
 
We have known for some time that the EU and the UK are likely to insist on stronger climate targets as a condition of the FTAs they are negotiating with Australia.
 
But while Labor has made a commitment to net zero carbon emissions in Australia by 2050, Prime Minister Scott Morrison is yet to say whether his government is committed to the long term target now adopted by 73 countries worldwide.
 
Many of Australia’s largest exporters support the net zero target because they understand Australia can become a clean energy superpower, leading to stronger economic growth and more jobs.
 
But the Morrison Government is prepared to risk those jobs by doing nothing on climate change and insisting that targets be excluded from trade deals.
 
In November, France's Foreign Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, warned the Government that a planned FTA between Australia and the EU must incorporate "highly ambitious" action on climate change.
 
Now Australian companies have begun warning the Government that Australia’s rejection of the net zero target could hinder the FTA negotiations with the EU and the UK.
 
It’s time for Trade Minister Simon Birmingham to be honest with the Australian people and admit that his plan to seal these trade deals is being imperilled by the hard-right conservatives in the Liberal Party.