The Liberal-National coalition has made a dramatic policy U-turn that will reshape the energy debate ahead of the 2028 election.

Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley says the coalition's new emissions plan will prioritise affordable energy prices for households after the party formally abandoned its net zero by 2050 target.

The Liberals and Nationals on Sunday ditched the commitment, staving off a fight that threatened party unity as Ley sells a policy championed by her conservative rivals.

"We will prioritise affordable energy for households and businesses and this is just so important," Ley said.

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The new coalition approach to emissions sees targets scrapped entirely. Instead, net zero would be "a welcome outcome" with emission reductions pegged to the real performance of OECD countries.

The focus will be on power prices and reliability and security of supply.

"I look forward to getting out on the road and selling our coalition policy," Ley said.

The plan adopts the demands of junior coalition partner the Nationals, with Nationals Leader David Littleproud and Shadow Energy Minister Dan Tehan backing the shift.

It sets up a high stakes policy battle all the way to the next election in 2028.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attacked the change, claiming it will cost Australians by driving uncertainty.

"That kills off investment and less investment means higher power prices," he said.

"There will be a royal commission to this one day. It's just outrageous."

Albanese described the coalition as "the rabble and clown show that the coalition have become when it comes to energy policy."

Fierce net zero critic Barnaby Joyce told 7NEWS common sense had won out, with the former deputy PM also hinting he might stay with the Nationals given the influence he's having.

"So I think it's had a little bit of an effect of where we've ended up on such things as net zero. So whilst it's working for Australia and I've played my little part in it, I'm going to keep doing that," Joyce said.

The policy shift is also a triumph for Ley's all but openly declared leadership rivals, Angus Taylor and Andrew Hastie.

Conservatives are now pressing for the coalition's next policy rethink to cut the number of immigrants.

"They're just stacking up one on top of the other in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Have a look at your traffic. I mean, do you want more cars there? How do you reckon it's going for you?" Joyce said.

Meanwhile, the government is claiming credit for US President Donald Trump's decision to cut US tariffs on some imported foods, particularly beef which faced a 10 per cent tariff into Australia's biggest market.

Albanese said the tariff cut "is a direct result of the strong advocacy of Don Farrell as the trade minister and indeed my meetings with President Trump where we've had three meetings over the last month."

The opposition says the tariff cut was driven by American domestic politics rather than Australian advocacy.