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