Net zero time left for PM on Nat’s climate deal
Scott Morrison has less than a week to lock in a net-zero deal with his Coalition partners before jetting off to Glasgow.
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Prime Minister Scott Morrison has less than a week to lock in a deal with the Nationals over a commitment to net zero emissions, as the junior Coalition party finalised its list of demands on Thursday.
Deputy Prime Minister and Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce presented the demands to Mr Morrison late on Thursday, but a final outcome is not expected until at least Sunday when the Nationals next meet.
But some in the Coalition remain defiant, with Queensland senator Matt Canavan declaring, “Australians should decide how much we emit and the circumstances in which we do,” paraphrasing former prime minister John Howard.
Mr Joyce walked into an early evening meeting of his colleagues accompanied by his hand-picked committee on the net zero issue comprised of deputy leader David Littleproud, Resources Minister Keith Pitt, Regionalisation Minister Bridget McKenzie and Kevin Hogan.
Concerns raised have centred around job security and the future of rural industries as coal and other carbon industries are phased out or face trade restrictions overseas.
Thursday’s meeting last just 45 minutes, significantly shorter than the four-hour palaver on Sunday held by the Nationals to discuss their position on net zero.
There also continues to be issues with the net zero policy among some Liberal MPs who fear it does not answer enough of their questions and is too reliant on hydrogen.
Mr Morrison will jet off next Thursday night to Rome for the G20, before heading to Glasgow for the COP26 climate summit shortly after.
He said that the decision would be made by the Cabinet before he goes to Glasgow.
“We’re ensuring we’re addressing the challenges of climate change. We’re dealing with supporting the jobs and futures of people in rural and regional Australia,” Mr Morrison said.
Mr Pitt said he rejected any suggestion that the talks between the Prime Minister and National party were about the “price” for support of net zero.
“We are having a collegiate discussion with our colleagues … as our constituents would expect on such a serious matter,” he said.
“We will continue to have that discussion and listen respectfully.
“We will consider in detail what has been put forward … as the Minister for Resources I will continue to support the sector and everything I can to get a job into that location because that is what we are about.”
Shadow treasurer Jim Chalmers said Mr Morrison was putting the National party ahead of the national interest.
“We can do the right thing by regional communities and get those jobs and opportunities and investment if we do the right thing and get to net zero by 2050,” Mr Chalmers said.
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Originally published as Net zero time left for PM on Nat’s climate deal
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