Politics with Michelle Grattan
News:Politics
Barnaby Joyce's sudden elevation to deputy prime minister has put a significant obstacle in the way of Scott Morrison's creep this year to a commitment to a net zero 2050 target. More generally, it has made internal Coalition relations more unpredictable.
In this podcast Joyce reiterates his opposition to embracing the target, while leaving some wriggle room. "With the information that I've got at the moment, it's not on [...] And that's because there is no information."
"What we know at the moment is that there is no list of 'these are the costs to people in regional Australia'." Still, he says, it's not a binary choice. And he stresses that the final decision on the Nationals' stance will be taken in its party room, although he wouldn't expect a formal vote.
Pressed about his controversial dropping of the resources portfolio from cabinet to the outer ministry in his reshuffle, Joyce redefines "cabinet", saying resources is "still in cabinet, even if it is in the outer cabinet".
On the proposal for a coal-fired power station at Collinsville in Queensland – which most observers do not believe will get off the ground – Joyce says he would have "no objections" to the government underwriting the project, but he'd want to see the details before being more positive. "I'm very consistent in the approach I take, which is before you want me to underwrite what you're doing, let me have a look at what it costs and then I'll decide."
Asked about his future if the Coalition wins the election, Joyce says he would intend to stay the full term as leader – but he is also "quite open" to transitioning the party. "I'm not going to hang around like Sir Earle Page [leader of the Country party 1921-39]".
Meanwhile he wants to grow the number of Nationals seats at the election, not just hold onto current ones. He says his eyes are on Lingiari (NT), opportunities in NSW's Hunter Valley and Senate positions.
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Kate Chaney on life as a teal MP
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Senator Malarndirri McCarthy on Alice Springs and the Voice
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Treasurer Jim Chalmers answers critics of his ‘values-based capitalism’
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Albanese flags new progress in China relationship ’in coming weeks’
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Energy crisis has ‘badly damaged’ social licence of coal and gas
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Niki Savva on her book Bulldozed, Scott Morrison and the Liberals’ woes
Politics with Michelle Grattan: ’Teal’ Monique Ryan on the Victorian election and six months in parliament
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Tim Colebatch, Kos Samaras and Sumeyya Ilanbey on the Victorian Election
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Karen Andrews on the Medibank hack, visa scams, and winning back women voters
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Energy expert Bruce Mountain on what to do about the gas crisis
Politics with Michelle Grattan:Jim Chalmers, Angus Taylor and Danielle Wood on the budget
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Rod Sims on tax reform and the gas price crisis
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Bill Shorten on NDIS reform and the Optus fallout
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus on the National Anti-Corruption Commission
Ukraine ambassador urges Australian embassy in Kyiv to reopen ASAP
Professor Joseph Ibrahim on COVID in aged care - and the end of nursing homes
Simon Holmes à Court on ’community candidates’ and two state elections
Treasurer Chalmers on boosting migration and a ’resilience’ budget
David Littleproud on charting his course in opposition
Word from The Hill: Morrison faces inquiry into how he flouted responsible government
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free