National party ministers pour cold water on Australia's push for net zero emissions by 2050

Keith Pitt argues coal sector not in decline as David Littleproud says Australians sick of platitudes' and should avoid self-loathing' over climate record

Senior National party ministers have poured cold water on the growing push for Australia to adopt a concrete commitment to net zero emissions by 2050, cautioning against platitudes" and arguing the coal sector is not in decline.

While Scott Morrison has attempted to perform a rhetorical pivot - expressing a preference for achieving net zero by 2050 or even sooner - the prime minister is yet to make a firm commitment to the goal that has been adopted by many of Australia's trading partners.