Transcript - Sky News Politics Now - 11 November 2025

Melissa McIntosh MP 
Shadow Minister for Communications 
Shadow Minister for Women 
Federal Member for Lindsay 

11 November 2025 

Transcript 

Sky News Politics Now with Andrew Clennell

Topics: Leadership; net zero; Liberal Party; ABC; BBC.

E&EO … 

Andrew Clennell

Joining me live from Canberra, just ahead of the Liberals net zero meeting tomorrow is the Shadow Communications Minister, Melissa McIntosh. Thanks for joining us, Melissa McIntosh.

Melissa McIntosh

Thank you.

Clennell

I've just been sent an article, an ABC article, which talks about you potentially being a running mate for Andrew Hastie or a leadership contender in your own right. What's your reaction to that?

McIntosh

Oh, the posturing is going on, isn't it? Well, I love our country, I'm passionate our people, and I want Australians to have a better life for them and their families and one day, potentially leadership, sure.

But right now, that's not on my mind. What's on my mind is representing my community of Lindsay and getting us to settle on a position which does put Australians first; everyday Australians that are suffering so badly out there. And I went home over the weekend and spoke to them, and I went out Cranebrook yesterday, the little shopping centre, and people that are struggling, coming up to me and thanking me for doing what I'm doing and standing up for them and being a strong voice. 1,600 people, locals, responded to my survey on net zero and our energy future, and 64% as of today have said no to net zero by 2050.

Clennell

So, you're sort of saying in that first answer, look, if there is a change of leadership, don't forget me as a potential leader.

McIntosh

Well, you'll see that people that are out there are probably the usual people that are out there, and I don't think there's anything wrong in having ambition in the future, but that doesn't mean that you're going to challenge or do anything about it right now. I'm happy where I am and my laser focus is on being a strong voice for the people of my community and they, as I said to you, they're suffering like they've never suffered before. And that's why I've been strong and in the public space for many weeks now on their position on net zero and where we need to go as a country.

Clennell

How would you rate Sussan Ley's performance thus far?

McIntosh

I've always backed Sussan, and it's been my mantra always to back the leader and I'm not going to shift from that. And she made a commitment and she's actually doing what she said she would do, and that's consulting her colleagues. And she put Dan Tehan into the role as Shadow Minister for Energy and we've had a number of processes. Sussan said she would do this, that she would consult with colleagues. And everyone's had their chance to have their say and we'll get our ultimate chance tomorrow and I'm really looking forward to it.

Clennell

Speaking of which, you've come out saying that, you just mentioned it there, you've surveyed your seat, you want to dump net zero as a concept. Your electorate does suffer very hot weather, Lindsay, you know. That means a lot of use of air conditioning and large power bills.

McIntosh

Yep.

Clennell

But it could also be argued it would be helped by action on climate change. So why are you so adamant this net zero term has to go?

McIntosh

We aren't anti-environment, we’re pro-reality in my part of the world, people are putting solar panels on their roofs. Around half of people surveyed do have solar panels and they can't afford the batteries. Manufacturers are closing down at record rates. They tell me they could have all the solar panels in the world, but that does not power heavy industry. This is heavy industry that's contributing to our defence industry, to our sovereign capability in our nation.

We have small businesses. I went to a cafe just the other day and the guy there in Penrith Plaza said to me he was paying $1,700 on his energy bills and now he's paying well over $3,000 and he doesn't know how much longer his doors can stay open. This is reality.

People living rough on the streets of Penrith, sleeping on the streets and on our riverbank, people lining up at food banks. I promised them that I would be their strong voice, that I would represent them. And under the current rate we're going, they are going to continue suffering.

And in addition to that, we aren't prosecuting this case against Labor. We need to be a strong Opposition so we can say Labor, and I heard your previous guest, they are missing their targets on emissions reduction. They are missing their targets on housing and the promises to Australian people.

Clennell

Sure.

McIntosh

They are missing their targets, and they've broken promises on lowering energy prices.

Clennell

Melissa McIntosh, I've been reporting this week that it's likely that you'll come up with a policy that involves staying in the Paris Agreement but dumping net zero for Australia as a target or aspiration, that's actually possible, isn't it? Because it's a global target in the Paris Agreement.

McIntosh

I think that is possible. And for us to have our own unique target here in Australia and how we're going to achieve - as I said, I don't think we should be walking away from doing what we should be doing in regards to reducing emissions. My community didn't say walk away from climate change or walk away from the environment.

It is around this complete focus on renewables only at all costs, where we're going right now. And it is clear from the research that Labor, in fact, is not meeting its targets. So, let's find a pragmatic energy policy, short term, medium term, long term, that also does include dropping the ban on nuclear; 70% of my community wants that. So, we can be a country that takes the most of the opportunities coming our way.

Clennell

Almost out of time. It's also been put to me that essentially you'll come up with a policy very similar to that of The Nationals with one or two minor changes, so the Liberals can own it a bit. Do you think that's a fair assessment?

McIntosh

Well, The Nationals had some good research behind the work that they did in the position that they made, so I don't think there's anything wrong in taking some of that good work, of course, but we should all be listening to our communities first and foremost and then coming together and under Dan's leadership on, in his shadow portfolio on energy, coming to that pragmatic solution, which I think is going to be representative of all Australians. That's where we need to get everyday Australians that are suffering in the suburbs.

Clennell

Are you concerned about frontbenchers quitting? Briefly.

McIntosh

I would prefer us to stick together as a big, happy family. We have some great talent on the front bench and the only way we're going to be a strong Opposition is to have people prosecuting our case against the government and their failures, which there are many, and I think Australians want us to do that. So, I hope we can settle this week, I have confidence in that. And then getting on with the job like we did with the Triple Zero outage over a few weeks ago.

Clennell

Sure, finally. Sorry. Finally, and very briefly, if you may because I'm over time, the BBC incident, people losing their jobs after this documentary involving Donald Trump. Do you think there's any lessons for the ABC there?

McIntosh

As soon as I came into the Shadow Communications role, I said my - one of my strong focuses in the portfolio was for fair and balanced journalism and truth in journalism. I think it's so important and I think we have a tendency to be losing that in this country. So, yes of course, and I've made some comments about that that Australians expect the ABC to be impartial. It is our public broadcaster and I'll keep prosecuting my case around that as well.

Clennell

Melissa McIntosh, thank you.