“From my perspective,I want net zero by 2050,but I want to do it – particularly from a state perspective like mine – where we can have certainty for those communities,” Mr Dutton,the Liberal Party’s most senior Queensland cabinet minister,told the Nine Network on Friday morning.
The comments came as Nationals leader and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce sent another warning about his concernin a Facebook post that said the party was “exceptionally cautious” but did not say whether it could accept the net zero target or not.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison discussed a new climate package with federal cabinet ministers on Wednesday,but a final cabinet decision on net zero is not expected until after the Nationals meet on Sunday,clearing the way for a Coalition party room discussion on Tuesday.
Mr Dutton said the Nationals had to discuss the impact on regional communities.
“And that is what the Nats are fighting for and that is what the Coalition has always fought for and it’s why we won those seats at the last election.
“We will get the balance right. I think we can arrive at an agreement and this will happen over the next few days but I think it’s incredibly important that the Nats are allowed to have their party room[meeting],to discuss it,to air all of these issues.”