Interview with Tom Connell on Sky News

Senator Andrew Bragg

Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness

Shadow Minister for Productivity and Deregulation

Liberal Senator for New South Wales

TRANSCRIPT

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INTERVIEW WITH TOM CONNELL ON SKY NEWS

12 September 2025

Subjects: Net Zero, Liberal Party, Housing

E&OE………

Tom Connell

Shadow Housing and Shadow Productivity Minister Andrew Bragg joins me. I got a few things to get through, but what have you made of what you just heard there in this announcement of an approval by the Labor Government?

Senator Bragg

Well, obviously, we want to see more resources that are available for energy production. We also want to make sure that we can decarbonise our economy over time. We are a great resources superpower. We export a lot of resources. That's a great thing to have. But we also want to make sure that we can avail ourselves of new technologies that are coming through.

Tom Connell

We've got the Labor Government weighing up the 2035 emissions target. Now, it hardly seems to be going the way of the Greens. We're hearing reports the target won't be that ambitious. They're approving this project. Would the Coalition be playing into Labor's hands if your response afterwards is a lower emissions target?

Senator Bragg

Well, as the alternative government, our judgement will be, I'm sure, that we need to have a very credible and clear commitment to getting to net zero, but one that isn't going to crush the economy and crush regional communities. And the problem with Labor's net zero has been it's been too expensive, too chaotic, and it has trampled over the rights in many cases of regional Australians. So I think there's a way to do it better. Different countries do it in different ways, and that's a debate that we're looking forward to having.

Tom Connell

So would it be important, though, that the automatic instinct of some in your party to go lower, as in not be as ambitious, isn't the default, that maybe you're going to an election talking about the 'how' rather than the number would help the Coalition?

Senator Bragg

I think what's important is a trajectory and the fact that you can actually get there at some stage in the second half of this century. And I think it's very important that we are cognizant that the capital markets have already made up their mind in the main ,that net zero is a foregone conclusion. And so the debate is over for many people. But we have to make sure that we can harness our energy to doing net zero better than Labor. That is going to be important for households, important for farmers, important for regional communities. They're relying on us to get this right, to provide leadership, not to go to the lowest common denominator slogans.

Tom Connell

Been a bit of a week for your Party. What have you made of what's played out there? I'll just leave it open-ended. What have you made of it?

Senator Bragg

Well, some weeks are better than others, and it's been a bit untidy, I agree. And ultimately, though, we have to get away from talking about ourselves. I mean, it's an obvious point to make, perhaps, but it's very important that we focus on who we're supposed to be serving in the Australian Parliament. And I'm very confident over the coming months, we will be doing that, particularly with a focus on economic policy.

Tom Connell

A lot of talk around Jacinta Nampijinpa Price. She'll be back. She's too talented to leave out. Given the gift she's been for Labor in the past week, 'make Australia great again' during the election, was her comment. Is perhaps her political ability being overstated by some?

Senator Bragg

I don't think you'd would expect me to run a commentary on colleagues. All the colleagues have various skills and talents - too many to canvas here, perhaps. But certainly, we look forward to focusing on the economy, in particular, over these next couple of years. And we need to fashion together very serious policies on taxation, on housing, on regulation. I mean, these are the things that are germane to the Australian people.

Tom Connell

Housing is a big one. You've got all sorts of books behind you to refer to, but maybe it just comes down to stampingout NIMBYism. Now, there's this big project in Woollahra. The Minns Government, Labor Government, wants to get it through. The Local Mayor is not too sure about it. The State Libs are not too sure about it. Do they just need to accept that wealthy areas get a lot of density as well if we're going to sort this problem out?

Senator Bragg

Well, the good news is that there's audible now, so you don't have to actually read all the books. But to answer your question, in terms of that particular station, I think the State Member, Kellie Sloane, made it quite clear that we're quite open-minded about that proposal. I think it's only fair and reasonable that every part of Sydney and every part of major cities takes their responsibility seriously. I mean, we are, as politicians, we are perpetual trustees of future generations. So every area has to pull their weight.

Tom Connell

Right. There is division within the Liberal Party on this, though. It just feels as though we hear you need to be open to it. But once it is in a politician's backyard, and it seems to be wealthier areas more, - 'Oh that's too high. We couldn't possibly go to 30 levels'. Is there a cultural issue to overcome there, and the State Liberal Party needs to be part of it?

Senator Bragg

There might be, but if that position wants to take hold, then I think you'd see the end of the Liberal Party, because I think under 40s understand, in particular, that every time you veto an apartment block, you're losing the houses that are needed to house themselves and their children. So we've got to be a Party of supply and development, and 'yes in my backyard - ism'. That's the only credible way we can approach this debate.

Tom Connell

All right, Senator and YIMBY, Andrew Bragg. Talk again soon.

Senator Bragg

Thanks, Tom.

[Ends]