Barnaby Joyce has walked out of the Nationals party room, escalating a feud over net zero that has exposed deep divisions within the Coalition. The former deputy prime minister, who helped negotiate the Morrison government's 2021 net zero pledge, now opposes the policy and has refused to participate in the party's internal review process.
Nationals leader David Littleproud has called for a credible alternative climate policy, stressing the party cannot simply reject net zero. He said Joyce would be welcome back, but criticised unnamed figures seeking to 'beat your chest and say no' and 'protest parties'. Littleproud wants the issue resolved by Christmas.
Business groups have urged an end to the climate wars, with Business Council chief Bran Black saying corporate Australia needs certainty to invest. Nationals senator Matt Canavan presented part of his net zero report to the party room, while former leader Michael McCormack called the initial findings 'credible'.
Joyce spent Monday giving media interviews and sitting in the backbenches, but skipped the party room meeting. He has not ruled out a future with One Nation. The Coalition's internal strife continues as it struggles to present a united front on climate policy.
