Nationals senator Matt Canavan told ‘pull your head in’ over net zero target

The former deputy prime minister has told Matt Canavan to “pull your head in” after the Nationals senator declared the net zero carbon emissions by 2050 agreement was dead.

Ex-Nationals leader turned backbencher Michael McCormack rejected Senator Canavan’s claim as a rift in the Coalition over climate change policy threatens to reopen, three-and-a-half weeks from the federal election.

Mr McCormack said his party had “shaken hands” and agreed to the mid-century carbon neutrality target, which meant they were sticking with it.

“When country people make a deal, a deal is a deal is a deal,” he told the ABC on Wednesday.

“Once you give someone a pledge that you’re going to do it, you have to stick by it … We shook hands on that and that’s what the Nationals will do.”

Camera Icon Senator Matt Canavan has been told to ‘pull your head in’ by Michael McCormack. NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage Credit: News Corp Australia

The Nationals — led by Barnaby Joyce — agreed to the net zero target last October in exchange for increased government investment into regional Australia, including a record $21bn handed down in the recent federal budget.

Mr McCormack noted Mr Joyce, who replaced him as Deputy Prime Minister in June 2021, didn’t get the numbers he needed to scupper the pledge.

With Australia under intense international pressure to make the commitment, the target was agreed to despite fierce protestations from some Nationals members including the pro-coal Queensland Senator Canavan.

Camera Icon Michael McCormack says country people commit to the deals they make. NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage Credit: News Corp Australia

Scott Morrison released Australia’s plan to reach net zero emissions by 2050 before he flew to Glasgow for a United Nations climate summit – but the target is not legislated.

Senator Canavan on Tuesday declared the net zero target “all over bar the shouting” not long after the Prime Minister insisted it was still “absolutely” Coalition policy.

The fracas was stirred up earlier that day when Mr Morrison was undermined other Nationals including Mr Joyce and the candidate for the Queensland seat of Flynn Colin Boyce.

Mr Boyce claimed the net zero plan was flexible, saying “it leaves us wiggle room as we proceed into the future”.

“Morrison’s statement that he has made is not binding. There will be no legislation attached to it,” Mr Boyce told the ABC.