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

The National Party is holding a special party room meeting on Sunday morning after the party’s federal council yesterday removed support for net zero from the federal platform.

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

There are expectations that the party may 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 is expected to last about two hours and there is an expectation that a policy position will be decided on Sunday.

Environment minister Murray Watt said the National party was the “tail wagging the dog” in the Coalition when asked about the net zero meeting.

“The national party is dictating terms to the Liberal party, which claims to be the majority party in the Coalition,” he told the ABC Insiders programme.

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

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

Following their own debate, which included 35 members, the Liberals told Guardian Australia there was broad support for reducing emissions, with a focus on lowering energy prices.

Some Liberals have said they expect party processes led by shadow energy minister Dan Tehan to reach a decision on energy policies by Christmas.

But there were doubts as to whether the changing Liberal attitude could be further reconciled with the National Party.

More details coming soon…