Podcast: David Littleproud firm on his party’s net-zero stance

Amid Coalition climate target tensions, Agriculture Minister David Littleproud joins The Australian Ag Podcast. LISTEN NOW

David Littleproud insists that The Nationals are holding off on agreeing to net-zero in order to make sure farmers aren’t “done over again some years down the track”.

The Nationals say they are not holding Australians to ransom by not yet signing up to a net-zero emissions plan ahead of crucial international climate change talks this month.

Nationals deputy leader and Agriculture Minister David Littleproud told The Australian Ag Podcast the junior Coalition party would not be rushed on backing the Liberals’ plan to reduce Australia’s emissions to net zero by 2050.

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison hopes to take the plan as policy to the UN climate change conference in Glasgow, Scotland, beginning on October 30.

Despite lengthy talks by Nationals MPs on Sunday and Monday, and a joint party-room meeting yesterday, the Nationals are yet to endorse the plan, saying they want time to study it to ensure rural and regional Australia and local industries such as agriculture, mining and manufacturing aren’t unfairly treated.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said the Nationals’ stance was not about political grandstanding or holding anyone to ransom. On the podcast Mr Littleproud said it was about putting “safeguards and insurance policies” to ensure rural and regional Australia is not “done over again some years down the track”.

“We are not saying no but we are not saying yes and we want to make sure we get this right because last time we didn’t get it right and there was some unintended consequences for the bush … we can’t have that again,” Mr Littleproud said. “We are the last line of defence and we’ve got to get it right.”

Emissions Reduction Minister Angus Taylor has said the net-zero plan would protect traditional markets and jobs while taking advantage of new economic opportunities.

The Australian yesterday reported on confidential modelling that revealed gas, resources and agricultural exports would continue to grow despite the net-zero plan, which has received the backing of the National Farmers’ Federation on the proviso there is an economic pathway and farmers aren’t burdened by unnecessary red tape.

“(The NFF) have supported it with caveats and that’s what the National Party is doing, making sure those caveats are protected,” Mr Littleproud said.

“We are not going to blindly sign up to something until we understand how we are going to get there, who pays for it.”