Nationals won’t be ‘held hostage’ on Net Zero

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce says the National Party will not be “held hostage” by the Liberals on reaching a deal on net zero emissions by 2050.

The National Party will not be “held hostage” by the Liberals on reaching a deal on net zero emissions by 2050, Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce declared, as the Morrison Government ruled out a “sneaky carbon tax” as part of its package.

But after a four-hour meeting on Sunday evening the junior Coalition party reached no decision on the fate of the government’s net zero package with warnings they may not reach a position this week.

It’s understood there remain questions to be answered about the impacts of the plan, with many MPs not reassured enough from what they’ve heard so far.

Regional jobs and cost of living were among the chief concerns raised.

Higher emissions reduction targets by 2030 have all but been ruled out as “highly unlikely” by Mr Joyce.

It’s understood the meeting was “constructive and respectful”, but there was a wariness about the policy.

Meanwhile, the LNP’s Flynn branch council voted 17-3 against adopting a net zero target, giving an indication of where the grassroot members are in the key seat for the next election.

Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister Angus Taylor briefed the Nationals on the proposal on how to reach net zero by 2050.

He stressed the plan would protect traditional industries like mining, manufacturing and agriculture, with emerging technologies like carbon capture and storage expected to play a role.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce ahead of the Nationals party room meeting to discuss a net zero emissions policy. Picture: Gary Ramage / NCA NewsWire

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been coming under increased pressure to commit to the climate target before he goes to the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow later this month, having been working with Mr Joyce to finalised the plan.

But speaking ahead of the meeting Mr Joyce said it would be a decision of National MPs who would not be pressured by the Liberal party.

“We’re our own party. Once you go down that path, you start being held hostage, we must do this, you must do that,” he said.

“We won’t be held hostage to what other people may wish.”

Mr Joyce admitted coal exports would be determined “at the behest” of global markets which were likely to decline over time, but the party had to deal with the present situation.

“Right now we have record prices, record volumes (in exports) … One of the reasons for that is they’ve completely botched it in the northern hemisphere,” he said.

“The truth of the demand for coal is floating on Gladstone Harbour.

“When those ships don’t turn up, or when they start slowing down and not wanting a product, of course, that is the world global market. But right now, that is not the case.”

Mr Taylor said there was a “strong joint commitment” to strengthen the regions, not weaken them.

“It was also clear that there was absolutely no appetite for policies that impact jobs or add to costs of living through an explicit carbon tax or a sneaky carbon tax. Which we won’t be doing,” he said.

Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister Angus Taylor addressed the National Party meeting on the government’s proposed net zero emissions road map. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Queensland Senator Matt Canavan, one of the strongest opponents of the policy, said he considered net zero to be the “ultimate corporate buzz word” and a distraction from China as a “massive threat to our country”.

“While we have been distracted with the net zero madness, this week China demonstrated the world’s first nuclear-capable, hypersonic missile,” he said.

“China now has space nukes but they can’t match us on plans to reach net zero.”

Finance Minister Simon Birmingham said the junior Coalition would not be dictating government policy.

“Certainly not, the government is deciding the government’s climate change policy.

“The government comprises all of our members Liberal members, National Party members, LNP, (and Country Liberal Party),” Mr Birmingham told Sky News.

“There’s no point pretending that there aren’t some parts of the Australian community who are concerned about the implications of these decisions.”

Opposition leader Anthony Albanese said the government’s climate debate was a “pantomime”, but would not commit Labor to its own medium-term goals until after the Glasgow summit.

“What we want to see is a legislated target. And unless it’s legislated, they’re not being fair dinkum,” he said.