Nationals poised to formalise net zero position at party room meeting after vote to ditch policy | National party

The Nationals are holding a special meeting in the party hall on Sunday morning, after the party’s federal council yesterday removed support for net zero from their federal platform.

Senators Matt Canavan and Ross Cadell, tasked with reviewing the party’s energy and net zero emissions policy, were due to present their review in the party room on Sunday morning for debate.

The party is expected to drop its support for net zero, following the federal council’s motion.

Party leader David Littleproud told the council on Saturday: “We believe in reducing emissions, but not at any cost.”

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Sources told Guardian Australia the meeting was expected to last around two hours and a policy position was expected to be decided on Sunday.

Environment Minister Murray Watt said the National Party was “the dog that wags its tail” within the Coalition, when asked about their meeting on net zero.

“We have the National Party… dictating terms to the Liberal Party which claims to be the majority party in a coalition,” he told the ABC Insiders programme.

“The idea that you hand climate and energy policy to people like Matthew Canavan and the ghost of Barnaby Joyce is like giving Dracula the keys to the blood bank.”

Sunday’s meeting follows a discussion between Liberal MPs and senators on Friday.

The Liberals told Guardian Australia, following their own discussion, attended by 35 members, that there is broad support for reducing emissions, with a focus on reducing energy prices.

Some Liberals said they expected their party – led by shadow energy minister Dan Tehan – to reach a decision on their energy policy by Christmas.

But there were doubts about whether a modified Liberal position could be further compromised with the Nationals.

More details soon…