Joyce Keeps Future Plans Vague Despite Nationals’ Shift Away From Net-Zero

Barnaby Joyce praises Matt Canavan as the spark behind the Nationals’ push to scrap net zero, saying he just ’threw a bit of petrol on the fire.’

Nationals member for New England Barnaby Joyce before a press conference outside Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on July 28, 2025. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

Former Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce says he is “keeping his cards close to [his] chest” on whether he will return to the National Party after it dumped its net-zero target.

Joyce announced his intention to part ways with the Nationals last month, citing “irreparable differences” with net zero shaping as a key dispute.

But while the party is now abandoning the policy, he is holding off on saying whether he will rejoin.

“It’s worked so far for me, and I’m not going to give it up now. It’s, as I said, on the back bench, it’s the only game you’ve got, and it’s working, and it’s bringing about a better outcome for regional people, and that is my job,” he told Sky News Australia on Nov. 4.

Nationals leader David Littleproud said on Nov. 2 the party room had unanimously voted to scrap its 2050 net-zero commitment, adding the party was “not denying the science of climate change.”

Joyce has not attended Nationals meetings since announcing his departure, including the one being held today despite the National party leader publicly asking him to stay back.

“We want him to stay in the National Party. I think he has a contribution to make between now and when he retires,” Littleproud told Nine.

Joyce announced that he would not contest New England at the next federal election. He has also held talks with One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, though no deal has been confirmed.

Happy With Policy Shift

Joyce welcomed the Nationals’ new stance, saying large-scale renewable projects were overwhelming his electorate.

“I’m certainly vastly happy with the position they got now than the position they used to have,” he said.

He said if the current net zero policy is not stopped, 31 percent of New England would be covered by solar and wind projects.

“We’ve got 400 square kilometres of solar panels coming to our electorate. That’s like driving from Newcastle to Tamworth and 500 metres on either side of the road, nothing else but solar panels, then 4,000 square kilometres of wind turbines and the associated transmission lines ... Why is anybody sort of surprised about the fury and anger and the motivation I have on this issue?” he said.

Claims Credit With Canavan

Asked whether he deserved credit for the Nationals’ shift, Joyce pointed to Senator Matt Canavan as the driving force behind the push inside the party.

“I think Matt Canavan is the match that started the flame ... I threw a bit of petrol on the fire,” he said.

Canavan’s long-standing push against net zero motivated Joyce to act.

“He made me feel extraordinarily guilty. I don’t believe in net zero, but I wasn’t doing anything positive about it,” he added.

“So that I then drafted a private member’s bill,” said Joyce, who in July this year introduced a bill to scrap net zero in the Parliament.

The bill is currently being debated in the lower house, with several Liberal MPs backing it even as the party has not yet confirmed its official position.