Nationals Senator Matt Canavan says Australia shouldn’t be “talking about the weather” in 30 years’ time, but rather discussing the return of manufacturing and jobs and paying off debt.
His comments come after Nationals Leader Michael McCormack on Monday confirmed the agriculture sector may be excluded from the Morrison government’s climate target in an effort to avoid harming one of Australia’s primary industries.
Mr Canavan told Sky News host Peta Credlin this is not something he agrees with.
“It’s a bit like saying if we just shut down 95 per cent of our economy but protect 5 per cent, everything will be ok,” he said.
“I’m opposed to this policy because it’s mythical, no other country is acting to do this.”
Mr Canavan questioned why Australia would “shackle ourselves” into the policy when there is “much more pressing constraints” at the moment.
“We’ve reached a new record low of Australians employed in manufacturing, we’ve accumulated a trillion dollars in debt over the past year,” he said.
“I don’t think we should be talking the weather in 30 years’ time.”
