The ABC's Misleading Report on Net Zero: A Think Tank Demands an Apology
'Misleading Australians': Think Tank Demands Apology from ABC Over 'Blatantly False' Claim
The Page Research Centre, the think tank behind the report that influenced the Nationals' decision to abandon net zero, has demanded an apology from the ABC for 'deliberately' misrepresenting its research on the impact of emissions targets on energy prices.
The ABC's 7.30 program on Monday only mentioned that the report included research from Coal Australia, failing to acknowledge the thorough analysis of sources such as the CSIRO, AEMO, the Australian Energy Regulator, and the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The Page Research Centre said the ABC attempted to 'discredit our thorough research' and mislead the audience by only pointing to Coal Australia.
'Last night on 7.30, the ABC deliberately misrepresented our report that led to the National Party abandoning Net Zero,' the think tank said on X on Tuesday. 'Our paper, Delivering a High Energy Australia, is a meticulous, evidence-based discussion paper built on more than 160 detailed references. It lays out, in full, how net zero is driving up energy prices, crippling Australian industry - and what we can do about it.'
The think tank said it had been approached by the ABC prior to the report but argued it aired 'misleading' information instead of the facts provided by the think tank. 'And the ABC knew (Coal Australia was merely an additional reference). Before going to air, they reached out to us for clarification, and we made this clear,' the Page Research Centre said. 'Yet despite knowing the truth, they ran the false claim anyway, and in doing so they (were) knowingly misleading their audience to cast doubt on legitimate research.'
The ABC's report preceded a trainwreck interview with Nationals leader David Littleproud, which featured 7.30 host Sarah Ferguson repeatedly interrupting Mr Littleproud. At one point, she even accused him of misleading the audience, despite the broadcaster doing exactly the same moments earlier. The think tank's report argues Australia's current energy policies and the net zero strategy are failing, driving up costs and damaging industry. It was a key factor in the Nationals' decision to drop the net zero emissions by 2050 target.
The ABC needs to be held accountable. We’ve demanded a full retraction and apology. Australians deserve to hear the truth, not taxpayer-funded lies designed to undermine real, legitimate research. But here's where it gets controversial... The ABC's report preceeded a trainwreck interview with Nationals leader David Littleproud, which featured 7.30 host Sarah Ferguson repeatedly interrupting Mr Littleproud. And this is the part most people miss... The research called for net zero to be removed from Australian public policy, and said it overwhelmingly prioritised an 'emissions goal ahead of improving the living standards of Australia.'
'We should reduce emissions in line with comparable nations, not ahead of them,' Page said in its report. The think tank has invited discussion on this controversial interpretation and encourages readers to share their thoughts in the comments.
