PoliticalClaims.au

### Core Fact: Emissions Targets Were Indeed Removed

This claim is **factually accurate and well-documented**.

The Coalition government explicitly removed emissions reduction targets from the NEG in August 2018. [1]

#### Timeline of Events

**October 2017:** Turnbull government announced the National Energy Guarantee as a flagship policy intended to "lower electricity prices, make the system more reliable, encourage the right investment and reduce emissions." [2] The original NEG proposal included a specific emissions reduction obligation. **Original Target:** The NEG was designed to require electricity retailers to progressively purchase energy from low-emissions or renewable generators to achieve a **26-28 percent emissions reduction target by 2030** (relative to 2005 levels). [3] This target aligned with Australia's Paris climate commitment. [4] **August 2018 Reversal:** In early August 2018, Prime Minister Turnbull initially proposed modifying the NEG to set emissions reduction targets by regulation instead of legislation (attempting to appease internal party critics).

However, less than one week later, on August 21, 2018, Turnbull announced the **complete removal of emissions reduction targets from the NEG entirely**. [5] [6]

### Stated Justification

Turnbull's stated reason for this reversal was the Coalition government's slim one-seat majority in the House of Representatives. [4] He argued he could not impose formal emissions reduction targets without support from conservative critics within his own party, who threatened to cross the floor on the emissions reduction legislation. [5] Approximately 10 Coalition backbenchers, led by former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, opposed legislating specific emissions reduction targets. [4] Abbott had originally signed Australia into the Paris Agreement while in office but later withdrew support for emissions targets after losing his leadership challenge to Turnbull. [4]