Nationals claim credit for ‘big stick’ power strategy

Michael McCormack has claimed credit for the Nationals for powers to break up energy companies if they misuse market power.

From left, Nigel Scullion, Bridget McKenzie, David Littleproud, Michael McCormack and Matt Canavan in Canberra. Picture: AAP.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack has claimed credit for the Nationals for new powers to break up big energy companies if they misuse their market power, saying the party has long fought for the “big stick” measure.

However, the Nationals leader was later on the back foot, when he appeared unable to say whether it was Nationals policy to legislate the government’s Paris commitment to cut carbon emissions by 26 per cent.

There was also lingering anger on the Nationals backbench over the drawn-out energy fight, with one MP criticising the government’s “tin ear”, and another crediting the policy changes to “rebel” MPs, rather than the party’s leadership team.

Mr McCormack said the ­Nationals were “delighted” that divestiture powers would be available to help bring down power ­prices after a long campaign by the party.

“As the National party we’re delighted that the Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, has listened, has acted, has continued to support what the National party has championed,” he said.

He said the Nationals had also succeeded in ensuring coal would be specifically mentioned in the government’s commitment to underwrite new dispatchable power, following a competition watchdog recommendation.

“I appreciate that there’s coal, there’s pumped hydro, there’s gas, there’s all those things,” he said.

“But for us, for the Nationals, coal is very much part of our ­thinking, part of our strategy, part of our support, and I’m delighted that the ACCC recommendations are going to be acted upon ­quickly.”

Mr McCormack was quizzed repeatedly on Sky News on whether he agreed with Mr Turnbull that the Paris emissions target should be legislated, declaring it was a “hypothetical” as the government didn’t have the numbers to do so.

After backbench rumblings over his ability to stand up to the Prime Minister to advocate for Nationals policies, Mr McCormack said his leadership was safe, declaring: “I certainly have the support of my partyroom.”

Nationals backbenchers agreed there was no threat to their leader, with one saying his position was “rock solid”. Another said Mr McCormack was safe because there was no real alternative.

Former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce, who has argued for the powers since coming to parliament, welcomed Mr McComack’s advocacy on the issue.

“I commend him for relaying the views of the National party. He and the Nationals cabinet team have managed to come up with a much better policy,” Mr Joyce said.

Nationals backbencher Andrew Gee welcomed the policy shift but said “it’s disappointing that it took this long”.

He said voters’ biggest concern was power prices but “they have been feeling that a tin ear has been turned to their concerns”.

“I’m hoping that this change ushers in a new era of openness and engagement with the backbench,” he said.

Backbencher George Christensen said Mr Turnbull had been forced into the backflip. “We have a new energy policy thanks to a band of ‘Liberal ­National rebels’ who stood firm and fought for common sense,” he said.