NEW England MP Barnaby Joyce will not be swayed by Independent MP Zali Steggall's calls for the Prime Minister to allow for a conscience vote on her climate change bill.
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Mr Joyce said the bill, which was introduced into parliament on Monday, did not suit "all demographics", such as the New England electorate.
"Zali is responsible for pursuing the democratic rights of others, but if everything worked on petitions doesn't mean I have to vote for it." Mr Joyce said.
"People put up petitions that align with their political views, however not everyone in Parliament is going to agree with those views.
"I can think of plenty of petitions I could put forward that Zali wouldn't vote for because it's against her political views."
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Ms Steggall told ABC Radio a conscience vote would allow MPs to have their say on a plan.
"If he's not willing to step up with the coalition government, then open it up to a conscience vote," Ms Steggall said.
"Let MPs represent their electorates because climate change is a moral issue. It's a question of our ultimate long-term safety."
Ms Steggall's Climate Action Now petition calls on the government to aim for net zero emissions by 2050 and to set up a Climate Change Commission. It garnered more than 800 signatures in the New England electorate.
The federal government has yet to commit to an emissions goal, despite every state government electing to do so.
Many pundits believe Joe Biden's recent election as American president would help sway Prime Minister Scott Morrison to make a commitment.
However, Mr Joyce said he believed it was unlikely the outcome of the election would have much impact on Australia's policies.
"Biden has won the election for the United States, not the election for Australia," he said.
"I have a lot of respect for Mr Biden and genuinely wish him all the best of luck, because it is absolutely imperative we have a strong connection with the United States in a world with a growing power of China.
"However, just because Joe Biden has been elected doesn't mean we have to follow Joe Biden's every decree, if that's the case, we would have followed Donald Trump's every decree for the last four years.
"I've got do doubt it will have an impact on some of what we do, but their economy is different to our economy and we have to take that into account."
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
