Rebel Nationals back off on ‘big stick’ power play

Rebel Nationals MPs have dropped demands to bring the government’s “big stick” laws to a vote this week.

Rebel Nationals MPs have dropped demands to bring the government’s “big stick” laws to a vote this week after being placated by a feasibility study into a Queensland coal-fired power station and hundreds of millions of dollars for their electorates.

As revealed by The Australian, six Queensland Nationals MPs signed a letter to Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack last month calling for “immediate” ­action to address “unsustainable Queensland electricity costs”, including a revival in the budget sitting week of the government’s proposed powers to forcibly break up energy companies.

Keith Pitt, one of the MPs who signed the letter and pushed for a vote this week, last night said it was up to the manager of government business and the Coalition’s leadership to determine what the House of Representatives and Senate dealt with in the final days of the 45th parliament.

“The big-stick legislation is still our policy. It is still important the divestiture laws are implemented,” Mr Pitt said.

“Clearly the appropriations bills and supply will take priority.”

Michelle Landry, who holds the Coalition’s most marginal seat of Capricornia on 0.63 per cent, said she was “very happy” with the government’s feasibility study into the decommissioned Collinsville power station in her electorate.

The Australian understands the big-stick laws only rated a small mention in the Nationals partyroom meeting yesterday.

Scott Morrison shelved the proposed divestiture shake-up and instead pledged to take it to the federal election because he did not have enough support to pass them through parliament.

Nationals MPs have been critical of Mr McCormack for failing to keep the policy on the agenda.

Mr Pitt also hailed a $172.9 million regional deal announced yesterday in his electorate of Hinkler, which he holds on 8.4 per cent, to support infrastructure and transport projects.

Nationals sources said some MPs had a “come to a Jesus ­moment” after reigniting the ­Coalition’s civil war on energy policy so close to a federal election, which is due to be called as soon as this week.

There were also claims that a group of NSW members had been brainstorming how to disendorse former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce from his seat of New ­England.

A motion would have to be moved at the NSW Nationals ­central council when it meets next week.