Nationals to meet to thrash out climate policy ahead of Scott Morrison's COP26 trip

The Nationals will meet on Sunday afternoon to discuss a net zero emissions policy for Prime Minister Scott Morrison to take to the UN climate conference in Glasgow.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce during Question Time in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra, Tuesday, October 19, 2021. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) NO ARCHIVING

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce during Question Time in Parliament House in Canberra. Source: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

The Nationals are set to discuss Prime Minister Scott Morrison's response to the party's demands to secure an agreement on a net zero emissions target by 2050.

Members of the junior coalition partner will meet on Sunday afternoon to thrash out the Nationals' position on net zero as the Morrison government attempts to formulate a policy position ahead of the UN climate conference in Glasgow.

Mr Morrison will fly to Europe later this week to attend the crucial COP26 talks.

"Just over a week ago we got a look at the technology road map and our party room has worked pragmatically, respectfully as we possible could and we will hopefully get to a resolution one way or another today," Deputy Nationals Leader David Littleproud told Sky News' Sunday Agenda program.

But Mr Littleproud declined to disclose what was in the Nationals' list of demands to secure a deal.

However, News Corp newspapers say the demands include changes to federal legislation that would open the way to explore nuclear power in Australia, overturning a longstanding ban.

"Nuclear is something the Nationals party obviously stands firmly behind as a party room but we understand you have got to educate before you legislate," Mr Littleproud said.

"The electorate isn't necessarily there with us at the moment. We have to be pragmatic about that. You have still got to win elections."
Liberal frontbencher Alan Tudge dismissed the suggestion the government's junior partner is deciding policy.

"They quite rightly have their own party room. They can debate these issues. We have given them the reassurance that the plan here does not do anything to accelerate the destruction of any industry," Mr Tudge told Sky News.

"We want those industries to be maintained but customers abroad are changing their views and we have got to adapt to those customers."


Share
2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP, SBS


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world
Nationals to meet to thrash out climate policy ahead of Scott Morrison's COP26 trip | SBS News