VICTORIAN Nationals leader Peter Walsh has doubled down on his criticism of his federal counterpart’s climate change inaction amid revelations he moved a disaffiliation motion.
Mr Walsh, the Member for Murray Plains, said Barnaby Joyce and his federal NSW and Queensland allies were damaging their brand in Victoria, saying that every time they advocated coal-fired generation, Victorian voters, especially younger generations, turned off the party.
He also criticised an “insensitive” and “stupid” remark by Mr Joyce about Melbourne voters and called on him to apologise.
Mr Walsh unsuccessfully moved the disaffiliation motion at a recent state party board meeting.
He revealed he had since told Mr Joyce the community “expected both state and federal governments to be doing more on climate change”.
“I want to see the Victorian Nationals’ brand very much differentiated from the federal Nationals’ brand,” Mr Walsh said.
“Every time some of those New South Welshmen and Queenslanders open their mouths, they do our brand harm.”
The political world was rocked recently when Michael McCormack was replaced by Mr Joyce as Nationals leader.
A key factor in the leadership change was frustration among Mr Joyce’s allies over Mr McCormack not fighting Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s move towards a 2050 “net zero” emissions target.
Mr Walsh said the Victorian party branch had different views on policies than the Queensland Nationals.
“We will differentiate ourselves by our message,” he said. “I think that’s what’s expected by the majority.
“The loudest screaming is not the way to achieve the best outcome.
“Although coal will be in the energy mix in the immediate future, there will be transitions with new technology that will evolve to provide our energy into the future.”
Mr Walsh said some of the media interviews given by Nationals Queensland Senator Matt Canavan – who moved the spill motion against Mr McCormack – did not reflect the views of the majority of Victorians.
“People who, particularly, watch Sky News, see the likes of Matt Canavan and his anti-climate change, anti-energy technology stance,” he said.
“People perceive that as The Nationals’ views, which is not the case from a Victorian point of view.”
Asked about the disaffiliation motion, Mr Walsh said it was not appropriate to comment on internal matters.
“It’s disappointing that someone in a position of trust on our state management committee – not an MP – chose to leak that,” Mr Walsh said.
Mr Walsh also said Mr Joyce should apologise after saying country areas couldn’t “give a s***” about Covid-19.
“We’ve got record exports of coal. Record exports of beef. But we look at Melbourne and go, you can almost smell the burning flesh from here,” he said in a recent interview.
Mr Walsh said Mr Joyce should apologise.
“For anyone to be that insensitive and that stupid is just wrong, and he should apologise,” he said.
