Webster not yet committed to target as climate becomes the new hot topic for the Nationals

THE Nationals leadership spill was “ill-timed” and driven by the party’s approach to energy and climate change, according to Member for Mallee Anne Webster.

“The people of regional Australia expect us to be fighting for their interests, not focused on ourselves,” Dr Webster said at the weekend.

“I think the spill was ill-timed, given we are in the middle of a pandemic.

“However, there were those in the party room who believed their electorates would be better served under a new leader.

“And a primary driver of this thinking is our approach to energy and climate change.”

Dr Webster said Queensland decided the election in favour of the Coalition in 2019, with the help of Bob Brown’s climate convoy helping the swing against Labor.

“People in northern NSW and Queensland, working in industries such as coal and mining, want to know that their livelihoods are secure,” she said.

“You can hardly blame their political representatives for going into bat for them. But northern NSW and Queensland are not Victoria – they are not Mallee.

“Most people in Mallee don’t share the same anxieties about losing their jobs in a transition away from fossil fuels.

“Many are more anxious about what a drier climate could mean for their river or their farm. And many are optimistic about the benefits of our emerging renewables industry.”

Dr Webster said Mallee locals wanted affordable, reliable energy, but they also wanted to see a “clearly defined policy direction for reducing emissions and meeting our international obligations”.

“I want the same, and I want to support the growth of our renewable energy industry to foster innovation and economic growth in our region,” she said.

“But I also want to be sure that we can deliver whatever we promise.

“In my eyes, we need a clear plan to achieve net zero emissions before committing to the target.

“Innovative technologies need to be our focus, and this should include a mature discussion about nuclear energy.”