The Nationals back Scott Morrison’s net zero 2050 plan

The Nationals have backed Scott Morrison’s net zero 2050 plan, with the condition that safeguards for regional communities and jobs remain in place.

The Nationals have backed Scott Morrison’s net zero 2050 plan, with the condition that safeguards for regional communities and jobs remain in place.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, emerging from a two-hour meeting on Sunday, confirmed that a majority of party members had agreed to support the Prime Minister’s plan to adopt a target of net zero emissions by 2050.

There is one caveat – cabinet must not walk back any agreed safeguards for ­regional communities and ­regional jobs.

It’s understood the majority was slim, with at least one Queenslander – Dawson MP George Christensen – opposed to the decision, a spokeswoman saying he continued to be against a net zero target.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce with Bridget McKenzie, Kevin Hogan, Keith Pitt and David Littleproud in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

The Nationals’ in-principle support comes a week out from the UN climate change conference in Glasgow, with Australia’s position on a pathway to net zero still required to go through a ­Coalition cabinet meeting ­before Mr Morrison flies overseas.

The position on the “most totemic issue” for the party in the past decade followed deep negotiations with Mr Morrison over the past 10 days.

The Nationals’ demands centred on stronger safeguards for regional communities and industries that could be left behind in the transition.

Mr Morrison has signalled a guarantee, saying growth and prosperity of regional Australia would be “central” to the plan.

Queensland MP and deputy Nationals leader David Littleproud, prior to the meeting, revealed the party had wanted guarantees to be “set in stone” to prevent a future government from heaping costs of a net zero emissions target on to the shoulders of regional ­Australia.

Mr Littleproud said the discussion had been pragmatic, respectful and mature, and had ended in a position that “makes sense for regional Australia”.

Mr Joyce said the party had ensured regional areas were better off now than before negotiations began. “Without a shadow of a doubt, the position regional people are in now is vastly better than before we started those negotiations.

“I would say to people in regional Australia, I understand, I understand completely some of the sentiments that are held there. I understand completely the suspicions at times that are held there.

“But I say to you as earnestly as I can, there is no way we can deal with any of those if we are outside the tent. There is no way we can deal with any of those beyond reverberating and echoing your concerns from a point of complete and utter irrelevance.”

Queensland senator and Special Envoy for Northern Australia Susan McDonald commended her Nationals party colleagues on the plan.

“This deal ensures our regions can continue providing the good-paying, stable jobs in mining, agriculture and transport that are the lifeblood of our economy,” she said.

“This is not a radical departure into the realms of Greta Thunberg, it’s sensible, achievable and affordable.”

The Prime Minister said he looked forward to the matter “now being finally considered and determined by cabinet”.

“Ensuring regional Australia continues to grow and prosper is a core objective of any Coalition government, and this will be central to our plan,” he said.

Originally published as The Nationals back Scott Morrison’s net zero 2050 plan