No-go net zero push ignites Nationals leadership speculation

David Littleproud has responded to questions about his leadership after a fresh push to dump Australia’s net-zero targets was launched from within the Nationals party.

Nationals leader David Littleproud says he’s “relaxed” about a push from his two predecessors to dump Australia’s net zero commitment, while the majority of the party awaits a review expected to recommend scrapping the target.

Former leader Barnaby Joyce tabled a private members bill to ditch Australia’s pledge to reach net zero emissions by 2050, with the support of fellow former leader Michael McCormack as well as Nationals MP Colin Boyce on Thursday.

But most of the Nationals party room is instead waiting on a review spearheaded by Queensland Senator Matt Canavan, who is pro-fossil fuels, that could be completed by the end of this year.

Mr Canavan’s review will consider the economic cost of phasing out coal and gas, the impact on regional communities of large scale solar and wind projects, as well as electricity prices for consumers.

Mr Joyce said the point of his private member’s bill was to remove the “massive damage” to the economy and cost of living he believed was caused by net zero.

“The bill will realign our nation with the geopolitical and domestic economic circumstances before us,” he said.

National Party David Littleproud says he has nothing to fear. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Asked if Mr Joyce’s attempt to frontrun the issue undermined the Nationals’ internal process or his own leadership, Mr Littleproud said he had “nothing to fear”.

“I’m very comfortable in my own skin in terms of what I’ve achieved,” he said.

Mr Canavan said Australia had already lost its nickel, plastics and fertiliser industries since signing up to net zero.

“It’s now clear that net zero will not be easy and the Australian people deserve to know how much this will cost them,” he said. The Liberals have their own plan to review energy policies internally to be lead by climate change and energy spokesman Dan Tehan.

Meanwhile Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen ridiculed Mr Joyce’s bill and said Labor was delivering on its election pledge to subsidise home batteries for Australians.

“12,226 households across Australia have delivered and installed batteries under the cheaper home battery policy,” he said. “We know if you already have solar panels you can cut your bills by over $1000 and if you install solar panels and batteries together it can cut your bills by $2300 a year for a typical family which of course is 90 per cent of the bill for an average typical family.”

Originally published as No-go net zero push ignites Nationals leadership speculation