Environment

Climate change skeptic becomes Australia’s new ruling party leader

Sydney, Australia, Jun 21 (EFE).- Australian politician Barnaby Joyce, a strong defender of fossil fuels and climate change skeptic, took the leadership Monday of the National Party, which governs Australia alongside the Liberal Party.

The formation, which defends the interests of the mining and agricultural sector of the country, held an internal vote for the leadership Monday following tensions within the party in which Joyce prevailed over Michael McCormack.

Joyce, who will also become deputy prime minister, had already led the National Party between 2016 and 2018, when he resigned after it was revealed he had an extra-marital relationship with a former adviser.

Political scientist Michelle Grattan said in an article published Sunday night in The Conversation outlet, that part of the hard wing of the National Party was dissatisfied with McCormack for allowing Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison to adopt “a goal firmer neutral emissions by 2050.”

Morrison recently said his administration would seek to achieve neutral emissions by 2050 with a focus on the development of clean technologies rather than a radical change in the energy industry or the imposition of taxes.

Joyce is expected to try to block pro-climate emergency measures to defend mining interests, the engine of Australia’s economy. EFE

wat/lds

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