Scott Morrison may want net zero emissions by 2050 but the incoming deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce has form against the transition to "new energy".
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Australia has been "taken for a ride" by subsidised wind turbines from China and by environmental activists who argue expanding renewable energy here can cut global emissions, according to Mr Joyce.
"What is this insane lemming-like desire to go to renewables going to do to our economy," then-Senator Joyce asked parliament back in 2013.
He raged last year against a "sea of wind farms" in regional NSW.
"If you want zero emissions, nuclear power does it," he said in February after the prime minister flagged a more ambitious climate policy.
Differences on climate and energy will be key factors in the revised coalition agreement yet to be agreed between the two party leaders.
Returned as Nationals leader on Monday, Mr Joyce said he would be guided on climate policy by his party room's view on what is best for regional Australia.
"It is not Barnaby policy, it's Nationals' policy, and Nationals' policy is what I will be an advocate for," he told reporters in Canberra.
Members have been complaining that the prime minister's pursuit of net zero emissions, preferably by 2050, is not a policy position agreed to by the Nationals party room.
Mr Joyce said if the party room believes the best deal for regional Australia is to secure their jobs and industries, and clearly understand the dynamics of an Australian economy "as opposed to a Danish one or a German one", that is the view he would take.
Mr Morrison welcomed Mr Joyce as the new Nationals leader and deputy prime minister.
"Barnaby and I have a shared passion for ensuring our regions and rural communities thrive," he said.
Finance Minister Simon Birmingham said the government's pursuit of net zero emissions, preferably by 2050, is "crucial" for the economy and tackling climate change.
After success with traditional energy resources, the prime minister wants to see Australia play a big role in "new energy", including hydrogen.
During last week's trip to Europe for the G7 summit, Mr Morrison concluded hydrogen deals with Germany and Singapore to position Australia as a key exporter.
He signed a decarbonisation agreement with Japan, which already invests in hydrogen in Australia's north.
And he basked in praised from British Prime Minister Boris Johnson for a net zero emissions plan.
Labor has called for Australians to see the terms of the secret deal, when inked by the two governing parties.
Opposition leader Anthony Albanese told parliament Australia is increasingly isolated on climate and energy, since every state and territory government, the National Farmers Federation, major businesses and trading partners have all signed up to net zero emissions.
"We're offering net zero by 2050," he said of his party's position.
"No qualifications, no weasel words."
Asked at a post-spill press conference whether climate policy is problematic for the Nationals, outgoing deputy prime minister Michael McCormack said he did not believe it was.
"That'll be a matter for Barnaby," he said.
Australian Associated Press
