Scott Morrison, Matt Canavan ‘in heated row’ over coal-fired generator

Canavan reportedly overheard shouting at PM during a row over a new coal-fired generator.

Scott Morrison and Matt Canavan reportedly had a heated row behind closed doors. Picture: AFP.

Scott Morrison and Matt Canavan reportedly had a heated argument over a new coal-fired generator in Queensland with the Resources Minister overheard shouting “this is f***ed” during the closed door meeting.

Tensions over the roll-out of a new coal-fired generator at Collinsville in central Queensland boiled over during a fiery exchange in the Prime Minister’s office in Canberra last Tuesday, The Courier Mail reports.

The clash was reportedly so loud it was heard by others waiting in the corridor outside, including first time MP Phil Thompson and Capricornia MP Michelle Landry.

The war-of-words is alleged to have been sparked by a “go-slow” directive given by the Prime Minister’s Office on a business case for the new generator.

During the election campaign, Senator Canavan announced a $10 million study to develop the business case for baseload power options, including in Collinsville.

The row came amid a split in Coalition ranks over its drought funding strategy last week, with ­Nationals MPs blindsiding Scott Morrison with a $1.3bn policy document leaked without approval from leader Michael McCormack.

Tensions within the Nationals also boiled over at a partyroom meeting on Monday last week when some backbenchers voiced frustration with deputy leader Bridget McKenzie.

Their unrest stemmed from the fact that One Nation leader Pauline Hanson had forced forward the implementation of the new dairy industry mandatory code, with Nationals MPs indignant Senator Hanson was claiming credit for their policy after striking a deal with the ­government.