Further discussion is needed for the 2050 net zero emissions target to avoid 'unintended consequences', according to Member for Lyne, David Gillespie.
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Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced his intention to take a 2050 commitment to the United Nations climate change conference in Glasgow on October 31.
A net zero target would mean Australia had reached an equal level of greenhouse gases produced and removed from the atmosphere.
It has been reported that senior Nationals have denied seeking a multibillion-dollar regional support package in exchange for backing a 2050 net zero emissions target.
The junior coalition partner has committed to telling Scott Morrison its demands for supporting the package by the end of the week.
While speculation is rampant the Nationals will eventually back the policy, leader Barnaby Joyce insists it is not a done deal.
Dr Gillespie, who is also the regional health minister, said everyone wanted to do good for the environment, however any commitments must not infringe regional Australians.
"We want to make sure there's no unintended consequences in any commitments that the prime minister is going to make," he said on Triple M radio earlier this week.
"The road map has got to be the right road map, and particularly (for) regional Australia, where most of the wealth of the nation is created."
We want to make sure there's no unintended consequences in any commitments that the prime minister is going to make.
- Member for Lyne, David Gillespie
Dr Gillespie's media adviser was approached by the Australian Community Media for comment but provided this radio transcript instead. "The Port News asked Dr Gillespie if he supported the 2050 net zero emissions target, what discussions he'd had with party members and if he was guided by constituent feedback on climate change.
"Some of these people in the United Nations are saying you'll have to shut down some of your dairy industry and your beef industry, that's not going to fly," Dr Gillespie said on-air.
"We don't want any agreement that the United Nations puts up to mean legitimate businesses, that earn the wealth for the nation and power our cities and country areas, are shut down.
"We are concerned that the regions and the businesses that operate there will be unintended victims. We've got to make sure that it doesn't harm Australia whilst we're trying to make the environment better."
Mr Joyce has set up a party advisory group to investigate adopting a net zero emissions target by 2050.
The Nationals sub-committee is comprised of cabinet minister Bridget McKenzie, non-cabinet Resources Minister Keith Pitt and backbench MP Kevin Hogan.
Deputy Nationals leader David Littleproud rejected reports the party was seeking a regional support package costing up to $20 billion.
Mr Littleproud, who said he aspirationally supports a 2050 target, insists the Nationals want to ensure there was not a major cost associated with climate action.
Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan was asked for comment.
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