Updated
Deputy Nationals leader Bridget McKenzie has taken a swipe at her former leader Barnaby Joyce, saying Australia is frustrated with him amid escalating leadership tension and division over coal-fired power.
Key points:
- Ms McKenzie says most Nationals MPs “have been lock step behind Michael McCormack”
- Mr Joyce is supporting a group of Nationals MPs who want a new coal-fired power station in Queensland
- But a coal power station has been effectively ruled out by Mr Morrison, who said the state would oppose the bid
Mr Joyce is backing a group of Queensland Nationals MPs who want the Federal Government to underwrite a new coal-fired power station in that state despite opposition from the party’s Coalition partners, the Liberals.
“What Barnaby Joyce is saying publicly is very different to what the party room is saying,” Senator McKenzie said.
“What we are agreed on is that we do need to back a neutral, a technology neutral approach, to getting reliable base load power into our energy system.”
Senator McKenzie repeated the sentiment of her party leader Michael McCormack by not ruling out support for the proposed power station but saying any project must stack up financially.
“Public commentary from the National Party more generally have been lock step behind Michael McCormack,” she said.
“Michael McCormack is our leader, we all back him to the hilt, he’ll be leading us to the federal election, he’s delivered in spades as leader of the National Party.”
Mr Joyce fuelled leadership speculation when he described himself as the “elected deputy prime minister” and said while he would not move against Mr McCormack, he would run for the top job if it was vacated.
Senator McKenzie admitted she was frustrated by the commentary.
“I think Australia is frustrated, you know, that there’s a politician out there that’s not focused on their needs and issues,” Senator McKenzie said.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has effectively ruled out backing a new coal-fired power station in Queensland, saying the Labor State Government would not approve the proposal.
Coalition MPs push back against Queensland Nationals
Victorian Nationals leader Peter Walsh also hit out at Mr Joyce, saying he should throw his support behind Mr McCormack.
“People are just shaking their heads at the moment,” he said.
“Barnaby Joyce had the support and respect of his colleagues and the party when he was deputy prime minister and he owes that … to the current Deputy Prime Minister in my view.
“A team is always greater than the individual and I think someone should take Barnaby aside and explain that to him.”
Moderate Federal Liberal MPs also pushed back against their Queensland Nationals colleagues, arguing the Government should not be getting involved in a new coal-fired power station.
“If it did stack up then the private sector would no doubt build it,” Victorian MP Tim Wilson said.
“I’m not a fan of the Government getting involved in building new coal-fired power stations. I don’t believe that’s Coalition policy or ever has been.”
Mr Wilson rejected suggestions the Coalition agreement could be torn up over the issue.
“The Coalition agreement holds together because we have, between the Liberal and National parties, broadly common values,” he said.
“They represent a different geographic section of the community but the same fundamental principles hold.”
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