TRANSCRIPT
As regional communities confront devastating floods, the National Party is in a storm of its own making.
Leader David Littleproud telling Sky News he doesn't care if he loses his job.
"I did what my party room said and I backed them 110 per cent. I'm proud of the fact that we did this – and we didn't do this lightly. It's not something we took great enjoyment on but why would we walk away from something to the people we represent."
Mr Littleproud's leadership is in doubt, after splitting from long-time partners – the Liberals – on Tuesday.
"This is one of the hardest political decisions of my life. But you know what? I didn't make it by myself. I made it through the collective wisdom of everyone sitting in that room today, getting to it through their lived experience of who they represent and what they want to be able to leave for them and next generations."
A reunion was floated by Thursday and rumours of a leadership spill by Friday, fuelled by Michael McCormack, who used an infamous line:
"I am ambitious for David, I want the Nationals to be the best they can be. He's our leader and I support him. I am not planning on rolling David any time soon – this week has been messy. It has."
It's one uttered two days before former Prime Minister Scott Morrison knifed Malcolm Turnbull.
MORRISON: "This is my leader, and I'm ambitious for him!"
TURNBULL: "Thanks ScoMo (Scott Morrison)."
But Sunday, arrived with no such challenge.
Nationals' Deputy, Kevin Hogan, backing him in – while speaking to David Speers on ABC Insiders.
"My belief David, is that David Littleproud has very, very strong support in the Nationals party room and I would say even more support after the process that he followed, how transparent he was with the Nationals party room and the result - even though it wouldn't be the ideal route to get to where we got, given it was so public in the end."
The Liberals have given in-principle support for four key policies, including to lift the ban on nuclear power.
Senator Andrew Bragg told Sky News all Liberals agree with technology-agnostic energy policy, but it's unclear what that policy will look like.
"The point you're trying to draw me on here is really one of detail, and that would be subject to a further and future shadow cabinet judgement."
Mr Hogan saying the issue of net zero among the National party was settled years ago.
"The Nationals support net zero to 2050. The policy is as it is, the policy is as we took it to the election."
Tony Wood from the Grattan Institute says there's plenty of time to consider how nuclear forms part of that target before the next election.
"There's a lot of work being done globally on small modular reactors, they may turn out to be something that could play a role in Australian in 15 or 20 years, there's plenty of time to think about that and plenty of time to watch – and watch clearly – what's happening in the rest of the world."
Labor's 2035 emissions target is due before COP30, in November.
Industry Minister Tim Ayres told Sky News the government intends to engage cabinet processes.
"We'll be focused on what is in the best interests of Australia and the Australian economy and what delivers the best result for us to make sure that we deal with the challenges of climate change but also capture the benefits onshore here in Australia in terms of industrial development. That'll be the calculation that we work through when we receive that advice."
As talks between the Coalition leaders continue, a resolution could still take days.
The Liberals remain committed to a comprehensive policy review after this month's resounding election defeat.
Though results in some seats, are still being counted.
Bradfield in Sydney remains too close to call – and will go to an automatic recount.
Teal independent Zoe Daniel is pushing for a recount in Goldstein, in Melbourne; while Liberal Tim Wilson leads by 260 votes.
