Australia's deadly wildfires have opened up a small window of opportunity for the country to break a decadelong impasse on climate policy, as some politicians and big business push for major change.

Independent politician Zali Steggall this week unveiled proposed legislation to target zero carbon emissions by 2050, aiming to take advantage of a subtle shift in rhetoric from the conservative Liberal-led coalition government.

"Eighty percent of the public wants to see us addressing climate change. The impacts are real. We are experiencing them now," Steggall, who plans to introduce the bill into parliament next month, said.