Nationals MP Keith Pitt quits parliament citing concerns about emissions targets

Nationals MP Keith Pitt will quit politics at the next election citing concerns about the coalition’s commitment to net-zero emissions targets.

Transcript

00:00He says he's frustrated at some of the policy positions of his own party, the National Party,

00:07and he's released a statement today saying that he won't be contesting the seat of Hinkler

00:12at the next election, which will be in the first half of next year.

00:16In that statement, he says it's been a great 11 years.

00:20He said it's been an incredible privilege to represent his community.

00:24He says that there's been some highs and some lows.

00:27He's also confirmed separately that he is concerned about a number of policy positions

00:33that the Coalition and the Nationals have taken, in particular the Coalition's commitment

00:39to making net zero by 2050.

00:43He's also told The Australian that he wants the leader of the Nationals, David Littleproud,

00:48to stand up more on behalf of his party to the Liberals in that Coalition and stand up,

00:55he says, on behalf of Australians.

00:58Now, he's held a press conference earlier today.

01:01He didn't make quite as strong comments in that, but he did say that he is becoming frustrated.

01:06This is a job like all others.

01:09I've never had a job where I've liked everything.

01:11This is no different.

01:13But the bucket of frustration has now topped over for me.

01:17My comments that I make both publicly and privately are always around policy and what

01:21I think is in the best interest of the people I represent.

01:25There are some significant substantial policy positions which are being taken which I fundamentally

01:28disagree with.

01:29We've got a statement from the leader of the National Party, David Littleproud.

01:34It's quite a dry statement, I would say.

01:36It says that he wishes Keith all the best, that Keith has been part of the party room

01:41discussions this year, which have been, according to David Littleproud, leading the national

01:46agenda.

01:47We've also heard briefly from Barnaby Joyce, one of his National colleagues on Sky News.

01:53Mr Joyce says that Keith Pitt is a force to be reckoned with and a good friend of his

01:58and has been a great asset to the party.

02:01When asked about the net zero policy, Mr Joyce said that he understands Keith Pitt didn't

02:06agree with it.

02:07It's been a real vexing issue of his.

02:10And then asked whether he thinks David Littleproud is doing a good job at leader, Mr Joyce has

02:15said he is doing the best job that he can.