Here is how some more of that interview went:

Andrew Clennell: Do you think net zero gets in the way or it’s not even relevant when it’s some 25 years away?

Sussan Ley:

Everything has to be considered and people have different views. But I want to look at this from the perspective of Australians. And Australian energy policy is clearly not what this government is about, because look at costs. I mean, we’re amassing already a list of their broken promises. I’m not going to let them off the hook for $275 reduction in energy prices. Meanwhile, I could not go into a factory floor as Shadow Minister for Industry in the last parliament without hearing a story about energy prices putting people out of business. So we’re here for Australians who want to have a crack and get ahead.

Clennell: Do you think that’s because of renewable energy?

Ley:

It’s because of an overreliance on renewables, the renewables only mantra that this government has been preaching for three years doesn’t work. Of course, now that I’ve realised they need to bring gas into the system, it’s all a bit light, it’s all a bit confusing, but the ultimate cost is being worn by businesses.

Clennell: Would you come up with your own 2050 target rather than net zero if you dumped the policy?

Ley:

Everything is on the table and I want to make that clear. It’s not about me landing on what this group might come up with. We’ve got an outstanding colleague in Dan Tehan leading a process. Everybody in both our party rooms has an opportunity to have their say.

Clennell: It sounds like the say is in and it’s get rid of zero.

Ley:

People have got different views, Andrew. And party organisations – as you’ve pointed out – have passed motions, they always have, they’ll continue to do that. We’re listening to them too.

Clennell: So you’ll go with what the party room tells you? Or do you have your own view?

Ley:

I’m the Leader and I’ll make the call when the time comes. But what I said at the beginning of my leadership was I would consult, I would listen. And when it comes to policy, we would do this with everyone playing their part and having their say. I’ve set up those processes, by the way, in areas not just energy, but across the board, so we can harness the talents and the experience – the life experience, and the ideas of every single one of our party room members.