Nationals getting hot and sweaty over climate change

The Nationals are heading into Christmas fighting themselves over climate change policy, with one prominent MP quitting and another having to defend comments criticising the party’s approach.

Former minister Keith Pitt, who has been on the backbench in recent years, took a swipe at the Nationals’ leadership when announcing he would not be contesting next year’s election.

“There are some substantial policy decisions that have been taken that I disagree with,” the Queensland MP said, adding that “the bucket of frustration has now tipped over” for him.

It’s the Nationals’ commitment to net zero emissions by 2050 and other “green policies” Mr Pitt suggested Nationals’ leader David Littleproud was agreeing to at the behest of the Liberal Party.

The Nationals accepted the net zero by 2050 commitment in 2021 despite a number of its ranks not agreeing with the goal.

Mr Pitt, somewhat of a climate change denier, said country people were suffering because of climate decisions being taken by his party.

“I’m happy to be a lone voice,” he said.

“I like to think I haven’t shifted. I still have very fundamental views about what’s right and decisions based on fact.

“If you look at what’s happening around the world and the actual facts on this – the biggest producer of oil in the world is the United States … China’s emissions are increasing and yet it is Australians who have to pay the highest price.”

Mr Pitt was resources and water minister in Scott Morrison’s Coalition government.

Mr Littleproud said the Nationals “wish Keith all the best” in his new endeavours.

“Keith has been part of the Nationals party room this term, that was the first to lead the ‘No’ case against the Voice, the first party room to lock in divestiture as Coalition policy, locked the Coalition into a regulated vaping model and the first to lead the Coalition to adopt nuclear energy,” he said in a statement.

“The Nationals have set the national agenda and been loud in protecting regional Australia against Labor policy in opposition and will continue to, as part of the next Coalition government.”

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said he didn’t believe Mr Pitt’s resignation meant there was instability inside the Nationals.

“He’s an incredibly smart guy. He’s frustrated with being on the backbench, I understand that,” Mr Dutton said.

“He’s had a job offer in the private sector and he’s going to take that.

“He’s made an enormous contribution as a Minister and as the Member for Hinkler in Bundaberg.

“He’s a well-respected local Member, and I think he’s looking forward to the next stage of his career. He’s a good friend of mine, and he’s certainly been a great colleague to work with. I wish him all the best in the future.”

But just as news broke of Mr Pitt’s decision to quit politics over the Nationals’ approach to climate change, a video emerged of his colleague Matt Canavan having a dig at the party’s nuclear policy as a way to lower emissions.

Senate Canavan told a National Conservative Institute forum in August that the Coalition’s push to build seven nuclear plants around the country was just a “political fix” and not the cheapest form of energy, and that the Nationals weren’t serious about it.

“Nuclear is not going to cut it. I mean, we’re as guilty of this too — we’re not serious. We’re latching onto nuclear,” Senator Canavan said.

“We should build some nuclear power stations. They’ll help. They’ll help our system.

“But we’re latching on to it as a silver bullet, as a panacea because it fixes a political issue for us, that it’s low-emission and it’s reliable.

“But it ain’t the cheapest form of power.”

Labor seized on the comments as Coalition hypocrisy and deception.

Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen said Senator Canavan’s comments exposed a divide on climate policy within the Coalition.

“I don’t agree with much Matt Canavan says. But I do acknowledge he’s honest on this occasion,” Mr Bowen said.

“Canavan admits the Coalition is willing to impose higher costs on Australians with the most expensive form of energy just to ‘fix a political problem’ for Peter Dutton’s divided party room.”