The former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce has cast strong doubt on the National Party’s commitment to reaching net zero emissions. He drops the bombshell that his trust and relationship with the current party leadership is “irreparably broken down.” Joyce has since rebranded himself as a “free agent.” If he’s right, the party’s intransigence on net zero is getting more and more at odds with the views of a pretty ordinary Aussie public. Being from Aotearoa/New Zealand, I take particular interest in how these developments impact Australia’s deal to its citizens.
Debate over the Nationals’ position on net zero is starting to warm up. Joyce uses a sports analogy to illustrate this, but the key point is the importance of keeping him in the discussion. His concern is that even with the current debate back and forth is a long way from a deal. By jove, he wants to weigh in on this awful bill.
A Shift in Party Dynamics
The rift within the Nationals seems to be hardening, especially on their devotion to net zero emissions. Joyce’s unvarnished depictions of the tenor of support for these policies is “falling off a cliff.” These concerns underscore a widening chasm between party leadership and the members themselves. He suggests that Australians are being sold a pup by net zero. He focuses on the lived experiences of real people affected by policy and its impact on the greater community.
Joyce’s position may help create an opening for what would be a significant turnaround in the party. So speculation has started that the Nationals could plan on junking their net zero pledge. If they don’t, it risks exacerbating the rift within whatever temporary coalitions they exist in now. Senator Matt Canavan, a prominent figure within the Nationals, has expressed hope that Joyce will eventually align himself with the party’s direction.
“Support for net zero is dropping off a cliff.” – Matt Canavan
Ongoing Discussions and Economic Considerations
As parliament gets set to return on Monday, debate over the future of Australia’s new net zero by 2050 target is set to heat up. Canavan’s admission that the party’s position review is not yet finished has been welcomed. Despite this it hasn’t so far included any economic modelling to work out how much abandoning net zero would cost. He stressed the need for transparency in knowing what these financial impacts are.
Canavan cautioned against the larger price tag of pursuing a net zero goal. He focused on how correcting the party’s platform would save them from these possible costly investments. He reiterated that modeling remains an important tool for former policy debates, but that real-world realities need to be taken into account.
“Sure, there’s a role for modelling, but the old saying is also true that if you ask an economist how to open a can of tuna, they’ll say: ‘Let’s assume that we have a can opener’.” – Matt Canavan
The Future of the Nationals
This internal border war within the Nationals indicates their future direction and potential public perception. Joyce’s announcement as a “free agent” should send a signal that he is willing to break party lines votes when needed. As support for net zero crumbles, party members are forced to scramble to maintain their positions as the ground continues to shift beneath public opinion.
