The Nationals offer support on net zero emissions by 2050 target

A Nationals MP has received a major promotion after the party offered support for Scott Morrison’s net zero emissions target by 2050.

The Nationals have scored an extra seat in cabinet, boosting their power within the federal government, in the wake of backing a net zero emissions target by 2050.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday announced Resources and Water Minister Keith Pitt would be added to the cabinet, just one day after the Nationals offered “in principle” support for net zero.

“Minister Pitt has been a strong advocate for regional and rural communities, both in his portfolio responsibilities and as a local MP,” Mr Morrison said.

He said Mr Pitt would “work closely” with Energy and Emissions Reductions Minister Angus Taylor to ensure Australia reached its climate targets “through technology that will empower our industries and regional communities”.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce with the Nationals Leadership team -David Littleproud, Bridget McKenzie, Keith Pitt and Kevin Hogan announced the party was offering in-principle support on net-zero. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Last week Mr Pitt refused to specifically answer a question on whether he thought climate change was “real” or not.

“The climate is changing. It’s always changed,” he told the ABC.

Labor Senator Murray Watt described Mr Pitt’s promotion to cabinet as an “absolute disgrace”.

“Keith Pitt – the only regional (Queenslander) whose job the Nats protected,” Mr Watt said on Twitter.

The cabinet will meet on Monday night to finalise the government’s plan to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

Nationals back net zero emissions by 2050

The Nationals have opted to stay inside the “tent” and back Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s net zero emissions target by 2050 with strong safeguards for regional Australia, settling years of bitter climate debate within the Coalition.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce emerged from a two-hour meeting with his colleagues on Sunday evening to announce the party’s stance, ending a years-long stalemate on climate policy within the government.

Mr Joyce said most of the party’s concerns around job losses and the impact on regional areas had been allayed and the majority of MPs and senators were now on-board with net-zero.

“We are in support of a process going forward that would go towards a 2050 emissions target,” he said

“Obviously that is dependent upon what we see in the Cabinet submissions reflecting the conversations between myself and the Prime Minister.”

Cabinet will be meeting early this week to finalise the details, with Mr Morrison expected to announce the full 2050 policy before he leaves for the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow on Thursday.

The Nationals have sought safeguards for regional Australia under a plan to reach net zero by 2050. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Sources said the Cabinet was likely to include the proposals put forward by the Nationals designed to ensure the regions are not left worse off by any climate target.

Mr Joyce would not publicly outline the changes his party wanted.

“Without a shadow of a doubt, the position regional people are in now is vastly better than they were before we started those negotiations,” he said.

“I would say to people in regional Australia, I understand completely some of the sentiments that are held there … but I say to you as earnestly as I can, there is no way we can deal with any of those if we are outside the tent.”

Senator Susan McDonald says the net-zero deal her colleagues have struck will support mining and agriculture jobs. Picture: Alix Sweeney

Nationals Queensland Senator Susan McDonald said the deal with Mr Morrison ensured regions could continue providing “good-paying, stable jobs in mining, agriculture and transport”.

“It also protects industries that provide billions in royalties that build our roads, schools and hospitals,“ she said.

Ms McDonald described the debates on net-zero with her colleagues as “respectful”.

“We didn’t always agree but everyone had a chance to express their views without fear of being sanctioned,” she said.

In a statement Mr Morrison said he welcomed the Nationals’ in-principle support and looked forward to the matter “now being finally considered and determined by Cabinet”.

“We recognise this has been a challenging issue for the Nationals,” he said.

“I thank (Mr Joyce) for his leadership and his colleagues for their considered support. I greatly respect the process they have undertaken in reaching this decision.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has welcomed the Nationals’ net zero announcement. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

Mr Morrison said only the Coalition could be “trusted” to deliver a plan to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 that would “protect and promote rural and regional Australia”.

“Ensuring regional Australia continues to grow and prosper is a core objective of any Coalition Government, and this will be central to our plan,” he said.

“Australia will continue to reduce emissions while keeping our economy growing, maintaining affordable, reliable energy and ensuring our regions remain strong.”

Opposition leader Anthony Albanese accused Mr Morrison of being “dragged kicking and screaming” toward action on climate change, and said the Coalition’s final plan had been hampered by the Nationals.

“We know he wanted to make changes to 2030 (emissions targets), but wasn’t allowed to by the National Party or Barnaby Joyce,” he said.

“This is a government that is scared of the present, but terrified of the future.”

Originally published as The Nationals offer support on net zero emissions by 2050 target