Nationals ratchet up tough talk on energy

TESTY Nationals will today demand governments get their hands off their guns, call for nuclear energy to be adopted and freeze subsidies for renewable energy.

The grassroots three- day federal conference in Canberra comes as some members want to separate the LNP branding in Queensland for elections, because they believe the Nationals brand is better than the Liberals’.

In a sign that strengthening the classification of the controversial Adler shotgun in December last year still grates on some members, a motion will be moved that “this federal conference acknowledge the National Firearms Agreement and states that no changes should be made to it without compelling evidence”.

The Turnbull Government is in the middle of the first national firearm amnesty since the Port Arthur massacre about 20 years ago.

The Queensland contingent, under the LNP banner, will move a motion to promote and support the coal industry and “resist environmental groups which are determined to disrupt and impede”.

Members will also be asked to vote on urging the Federal Government to freeze renewable energy subsidies at current level for 12 months and then phase in a subsidy reduction program that will remove all renewable energy subsidies over five years; also, that the Government “urgently adopt a comprehensive energy supply policy” that includes pursuing “further initiatives including nuclear”.

Members also want the Government to transition the shutdown of Hazelwood coalfired power plant into a new efficient coal power station.

The Minerals Council is also urging development of nuclear energy and PM Malcolm Turnbull has said it was a debate worth having.

Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce will address the conference today, just weeks before the High Court determines whether he and two other Nationals, Fiona Nash and Matt Canavan, were legally elected to Parliament.