Nationals back tech plan to reduce emissions

Nationals MPs have endorsed the uptake of technology to reduce emissions over the next three decades.

Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce. Picture: Adam Yip

Nationals MPs have endorsed the uptake of technology to reduce emissions over the next three decades — with some saying nuclear should be in the mix — as the Morrison government prepares to unveil its long-term emissions reduction strategy.

It came as Anthony Albanese said he supported jobs created by the construction of Adani’s Carmichael coalmine.

Addressing the Queensland Media Club, the Opposition Leader said to win back voters’ support in the battleground state’s regions, the party needed to show “we respect workers, whether they be coal workers or in other industries, that’s the first thing we need to do”.

“In terms of the Adani mine that’s been approved, it’s a good thing that those jobs are being created,” he said. “I support jobs, regardless of where they are.”

The Australian revealed on Tuesday the Morrison government would argue at the Nov­ember UN climate change summit that a technology target was the best way to meet the net zero goal that countries signed up to in the 2015 Paris Agreement. A technology target would allow the government to commit to reaching net zero emissions by 2050 without legislating the long-term emissions reduction goal.

Former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce said he was open to a technology target but it should include nuclear energy — something Scott Morrison has said he would not consider unless it had bipartisan support. He also wanted Australia’s scientists to be “producing the most efficient coal-fired power unit that uses the least amount of coal to create the greatest amount of power in the cleanest possible way”.

Former resources minister Matt Canavan declared investment in technology was the “best way we can reduce emissions while maintaining economic growth”. Regional Health Minister Mark Coulton cautioned against targets and labelled them “virtue signalling”.

Mr Albanese labelled the government’s $4m for a feasibility study for a north Queensland coal-fired power station as “hush money” for the climate sceptics in the Coalition.

Additional reporting: Sarah Elks