Nationals open to net zero under strict conditions as Barnaby Joyce warns parties view issue through ‘different eyes’
Newly returned Barnaby Joyce has warned the Nationals view climate change ‘through different eyes’ when it comes to a key government aim.
Farmers would be compensated for slashing emissions under a Nationals plan that could pave the way for the party to back a net zero target.
The return of Barnaby Joyce as Deputy Prime Minister on Monday threatened to escalate tensions in the Coalition over climate change, with Liberal MPs concerned the development could hamper the government’s aim to eventually reach net zero.
Mr Joyce, who has been staunchly critical of investment in renewables, has left the door open to the target but warned the Nationals viewed energy policy through “different eyes”.
“Our nation’s got to pay its way. We make our money from exports, and exports are emissions intensive. If you don’t like your exports well just start telling me how low you want to take your standard of living,” he said on Wednesday.
RELATED: Keith Pitt says Nationals not consulted over PM’s ‘very clear’ plan for net zero target
On the prospect of backing net zero, Deputy Nationals leader David Littleproud said “never say never” but no commitment would be made without seeing detail.
He re-emphasised a Nationals plan that would compensate farmers, who the party argued bore the brunt of emissions reductions costs, for offsetting emissions.
“We’ve already paid the bill of this country’s social conscience … (and) we can’t do any more heavy lifting,” he told 2GB Radio.
“We have to square the ledger and farmers have to be rewarded for what they’ve done, and they haven’t been in the past. If we go further, they have to be front and centre of financial reward.”
Mr Joyce has called for a ban on nuclear power to be repealed, and Mr Littleproud confirmed it would be one technology under discussion.
Labor Treasury spokesman Jim Chalmers said Mr Joyce’s return was “shining a light on the divisions” within the Coalition over climate change and energy policy.
Mr Chalmers also poured cold water on the Nationals’ jobs-focused rhetoric.
“What Barnaby Joyce has shown for the last three years, is he couldn’t give a toss about jobs in regional Queensland. He only cares about the job that he regained during the week,” he said on Wednesday.
It comes as Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie, a backer of nuclear power, warned against “platitudinous” aims for net zero without a plan to protect the agriculture, mining and manufacturing sectors.
But Ms McKenzie, mooted for a return to cabinet under Mr Joyce, said the Nationals could adopt the target were it “in our national interest”.
“If the world is in fact moving toward a net zero future, Australia needs to ensure the rules and the methodologies that underpin it are fair, enforceable, agreed to by everyone,” she wrote in The Australian.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has refused to follow major powers in committing to the target by 2050 despite increasing international pressure and emphasised technology as the key to emissions reduction.
But during a visit to the G7 in Europe this month, Mr Morrison claimed the government had a “very clear” aim to reach a net zero target at some point.
He was immediately undercut by Nationals frontbencher Keith Pitt saying net zero was “not the government’s policy” and any plan to change that had not been raised with the junior Coalition partner.
Then-Nationals leader Michael McCormack would not answer when asked in question time last week whether Mr Pitt was correct.
Mr Pitt reportedly voted for Mr Joyce in Monday’s spill.
Albo called to save beleaguered airline
With time running out for the failed regional carrier to secure a new buyer, the Albanese government has been called on to buy in and rescue the company.
Albo’s bold move on housing crisis
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will make another attempt to pass Labor’s signature housing policy, which aims to help 40,000 Aussies get on the housing ladder.