Nationals MPs back Pitt’s call for party to abandon net zero

Two Nationals colleagues of retiring Queensland federal MP Keith Pitt have backed his call for the rural-based party to withdraw its support of net-zero emissions targets.

Nationals colleagues Keith Pitt and Matt Canavan. Picture: Martin Ollman/NewsWire

Two Nationals colleagues of retiring Queensland federal MP Keith Pitt have backed his call for the rural-based party to withdraw its support of net-zero emissions targets.

Queensland Nationals senator Matt Canavan and Nationals MP Colin Boyce both endorsed Mr Pitt’s criticism of the party’s commitment – along with its ­Coalition partner the Liberal Party – to the 2050 targets.

On Thursday, Mr Pitt said he would not recontest his Bundaberg-based seat of Hinkler at the federal election, due next year after 11 years in parliament.

In an interview with The Australian announcing his retirement, the former federal resources minister was critical of the Nationals’ policy direction under leader David Littleproud warning the party was becoming irrelevant to its rural-based constituency.

Mr Pitt said the Nationals had become obedient to its Coalition partner on issues like net-zero emissions and winding down the country’s reliance on coal-fired power as the Liberals attempted to win over city-based voters.

“I am talking about the impact in the cost of committing to net zero-emissions targets and the subsequent green policies that have to be paid for,’’ he said.

“And while there is literally zero impact on the temperature of the planet, it has huge impacts on the wallets of regional people.’’

The Nationals signed up to the goal of net-zero emissions under former leader Barnaby Joyce in a deal with then prime minister Scott Morrison, in exchange for $20bn in regional funding.

Senator Canavan said Mr Pitt would be missed and that he was right in calling for the Nationals to withdraw its commitment to net-zero emissions targets.

“I think Australia has to back out of the Paris agreement because it is making our country poorer,’’ he said. “Net emissions has always been a fairytale and now it’s going to be even more costly with Donald Trump’s election because our industries will become uncompetitive against (his) ‘drill, baby, drill’ approach.”

Mr Boyce, who described Mr Pitt as a “wonderful advocate for regional Australia and a bastion of common sense”, said he was against the emissions targets.

“I have always been against these targets but having said that, if the majority of Australians support the targets, they have to understand that energy prices are going to rise.

Mr Littleproud’s office didn’t respond to questions about the Nationals’ ongoing commitment to the net-zero target or Mr Pitt’s criticism of his leadership.

In a statement, Mr Littleproud said the Nationals “wish Keith all the best in his new endeavours”.

Nationals preselection for Hinkler will be held in the new year. Several locals are expected to nominate, with Bree Watson among those being touted as a possible candidate.