The nation's big mining companies have praised Opposition Leader Sussan Ley's new focus on energy affordability but say they're still aiming to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
After a damaging internal brawl, the coalition has promised to abandon the climate goal if it wins the next election, potentially pouring taxpayer money into new coal and gas projects.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley says she cares about tackling climate change but the government's main priority should be reducing the cost of electricity and gas.
"We believe in affordable energy at the centre of our economy," she told reporters in western Sydney on Monday.
Most state Liberal branches remain committed to net zero by 2050 despite a push among some rank and file members to ditch the target.
Pressed on why she had abandoned the climate goal and her state colleagues hadn't, Ms Ley only said she wouldn't be distracted from her goal of understanding the pain caused by high power prices.
Minerals Council of Australia chief executive Tania Constable, who represents companies including BHP and Rio Tinto, said it was critical energy remained affordable.
"The mining industry has an ambition to achieve net zero by 2050, but this is a huge challenge without least-cost, secure energy," she said in a statement.
Ms Constable also praised the coalition's push to end the ban on nuclear power and add uranium to Australia's critical minerals list.
But other business groups have been more critical of the coalition's move.
Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox called for more details to understand how the change could impact business investment.
"It's been a head-spinning few days, quite exhausting really," Mr Willox told ABC Radio.
He said after 20 years of climate wars, the issue had appeared to be settled.
"When you start taking away some of the core principles here ... that makes business pause to think around well, what comes next? Will there be further upheaval?"
Energy experts have also criticised the plan.
Griffith University energy systems expert Joel Gilmore, a member of the pro-renewables Climate Council, said net zero was the best way to reduce energy costs.
"It's very clear that relying on coal and gas is going to be more expensive than renewables," Associate Professor Gilmore told AAP.
"To fight against net zero is fighting against gravity.
"It's a nonsensical position to say we can turn back to coal any more than we would turn back to the horse and buggy."
