LNP net zero split: Barnaby backs ‘understandable’ rogue comment
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been forced to clarify comments by a rogue Queensland LNP candidate that their net zero policy was “flexible” – but Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has backed him.
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Prime Minister Scott Morrison was forced to clarify comments by the LNP’s Flynn candidate Colin Boyce that their net zero policy was “flexible” – but Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce backed in the rogue candidate.
The Coalition is being dogged by controversy on its own climate policy, as some Nationals MPs push back on its net zero by 2050 target, openly saying they do not support it, while other MPs say the party is “absolutely committed”.
Mr Boyce told ABC Radio on Monday the party’s net-zero policy was “a flexible plan”.
“It leaves us wriggle room as we proceed into the future … (Scott) Morrison’s statement that he has made is not binding,” he said.
Mr Morrison yesterday insisted Mr Boyce was talking about flexibility in how net zero was reached.
“Our commitment to net zero by 2050 is a commitment of the Australian government that I made in Glasgow. It is the government’s absolute policy,” he said.
“Our candidate was talking about how we get there. He wasn’t talking about the commitment itself, he has clarified that.”
But Mr Joyce said where Mr Boyce was coming from was “completely understandable”, while LNP Senator Matt Canavan said he was “absolutely right”.
“The Paris Agreement’s not binding doesn’t bind any nation … so one of this is binding on us,” Senator Canavan said.
“I don’t support net zero, never have, never will.”
Labor Senator Murray Watt accused Mr Morrison of lying about what his candidate said.
“His party is hopelessly split on net zero and his only way through it is to lie,” Senator Watt said.
Mr Boyce sought to clarify any “mistaken view” of his comments on Monday evening, saying the Coalition had a clear plan to achieve zero emissions.
“Our policies allow Australia to be a leader in low emissions technologies, while also positioning our regions, and areas like Flynn, to prosper,” he said.
LNP Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch said he was “absolutely committed” to making sure Australia beat the net-zero 2050 target.
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