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

The Nationals are holding a special party room meeting on Sunday morning, after the party’s federal council yesterday removed support for net zero from their federal platform. Senators Matt Canavan and Ross Cadell, who were charged with reviewing the party’s energy and net zero policy, were expected to put forward their review to the party room on Sunday morning for debate. There are expectations the party could drop support for net zero, following the federal council’s motion. The party leader, David Littleproud, told the council on Saturday: “We believe in reducing emissions, but not at any cost.” Related: Nationals members vote to ditch net zero target from party platform Sign up: AU Breaking News email Sources told Guardian Australia the meeting was expected take about two hours, and there was an expectation that a policy position would be decided on Sunday. The environment minister, Murray Watt, said the National party was the “tail wagging the dog” in the Coalition, when asked about their net zero meeting. “We got the National party … dictating terms to the Liberal party who claim to be the majority party in a Coalition,” he told the ABC Insiders program. “The idea that you would 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.” The meeting on Sunday follows a discussion between Liberal MPs and senators on Friday. Liberals told Guardian Australia following their own discussion, which 35 members attended, that there was broad support for reducing emissions, with a focus on reducing energy prices. Some Liberals said they expected their party process – being led by the shadow energy minister, Dan Tehan – would come to a decision on their energy policy by Christmas. But there were doubts whether a changed Liberal position could be compromised further with the Nationals. More details soon …