Peter Dutton Clarifies Climate Change Stance Following Leaders' Debate Scrutiny

Canberra, April 17, 2025 — Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has clarified that he does believe in climate change, following backlash over his remarks during this week's leaders' debate with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

During the televised debate on Tuesday, Dutton was criticized for appearing vague when asked directly about his stance on climate change, sparking confusion and a wave of public and political response. Prime Minister Albanese used the opportunity to cast doubt on Dutton's credibility, stating, “If you can’t say you believe in climate change in 2025, then how can Australians trust you to act on it?”

In response, Dutton addressed the issue in a follow-up press conference on Wednesday, saying:

"Yes, I do believe in climate change. I always have. What we need, though, is a sensible approach that balances our environmental responsibilities with economic realities."

He reiterated the Coalition's support for reaching net zero emissions by 2050, but maintained his position that they would not announce a 2030 emissions reduction target before the next federal election.

“We’re committed to long-term climate action, but we won’t be rushed into setting unrealistic short-term targets,” Dutton added.

The clarification comes as climate policy remains a key battleground ahead of the 2025 federal election, with polls showing growing concern among Australian voters about the pace of climate action.

Summary: In the aftermath of the April 16 leaders' debate, Peter Dutton faced backlash over his ambiguous statements regarding climate change. Critics, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, challenged his position, prompting Dutton to clarify that he believes in climate change. He reiterated the Coalition's commitment to net zero emissions by 2050, though he has previously stated that the Coalition will not set a 2030 emissions reduction target before the next election