Nationals coal push disrupts Scott Morrison's climate policy pivot

Coalition tensions in evidence as growing chorus of Nationals call for new coal plants after PM sends zero emissions signal

The Nationals are continuing to agitate for new investments in coal, cutting across Scott Morrison's ongoing efforts to telegraph a significant pivot on climate policy.

After the prime minister used a scene-setting speech at the National Press Club on Monday to declare he wanted Australia to get to net zero emissions as soon as possible" and preferably by 2050" - Morrison's strongest formulation to date - Nationals in the Senate issued a joint statement declaring Australia needed to build modern coal-fired power stations" to generate affordable, reliable energy.