It is apparent that the Coalition have learned nothing from their huge electoral defeat in May. The climate-denying voices of Tony Abbott and Barnaby Joyce still echo down the years as the federal opposition now rejects net zero. They may continue to obfuscate and play with the theme of ‘not now, maybe later’, but as history has shown in their heart of hearts, they do not want a bar of anything that may detract from their fossil fuel donors who support them.

Scott Morrison began the rot this time by saying a target pledge is just ideology. But having no target is like giving students an assignment with an open timeline to complete it. Targets and timelines motivate and even if you don’t reach them, you’ll achieve a lot more than you would without them.

The Coalition can continue living in a world of bluff and trying to muddy the waters but the train has left the station for the deniers of anthropogenic climate change. The coming of the Teals has underlined that most Australians do not want the wool pulled over their eyes anymore.