Climate change sceptic Barnaby Joyce returns as Australia's deputy PM after party revolt

CANBERRA (REUTERS, BLOOMBERG) - Mr Barnaby Joyce is Australia's deputy prime minister for a second time after a leadership revolt in the coalition government's minor party, making it harder for Prime Minister Scott Morrison to achieve a commitment of zero net emissions by 2050.

Climate change sceptic Mr Joyce, who was deputy prime minister from 2016 to 2018 but resigned after an extramarital affair with a former staffer, won a National party leadership vote on Monday (June 21).

Mr Joyce, 54, was elected leader of the rural-based party after he defeated Mr Michael McCormack, 56, a former journalist and businessman who failed to put his stamp on the leadership after three years in the job.

By convention, the leader of the rural-based National party becomes deputy prime minister in a Liberal-National government.

The task going ahead first and foremost is to make ourselves a team that is formidable for the next election," Mr Joyce told reporters after the partyroom vote. He will be sworn in as the nation's deputy leader on Tuesday.

The upheaval likely will not be welcomed by Mr Morrison, who leads the coalition's senior party the Liberals, and needs to call an election by May, with most voter polls showing his government is deadlocked with the main Labor opposition.

The leadership change in the Nationals is likely to trigger a rejig of some Cabinet portfolio positions.

Mr Joyce's assent is likely to derail Mr Morrison's hope of strengthening Australia's climate targets amid a concerted push by US President Joe Biden for countries to commit to a pledge of zero net emission by 2050. Mr Joyce is unlikely to support any moves to commit to a net-zero emissions target date.

Australia's reliance on coal-fired power makes it one of the world's largest carbon emitters per capita, but its conservative government has steadfastly backed the country's fossil fuel industries, arguing tougher action on emissions would cost jobs.

Mr Morrison in recent months has been softening his position saying Australia wants to achieve net zero emissions as soon as possible, "preferably" by 2050, but that technology must lead the way not political targets.

Mr Joyce, who will be sworn in as deputy prime minister on Tuesday (June 22), said his party will only support an energy policy that bolsters the government's appeal in regional Australia - which is heavily dependent on fossil fuel mining.

"I want to make sure that we have a process that we can go to places such as central Queensland (a major mining state).. and give us the very best chance of winning the next election," Mr Joyce told reporters in Canberra.

Mr Joyce has previously said he was willing to vote against any government legislation that costs jobs as a result of higher climate standards.

"Barnaby Joyce has made it known that he wants the National party to be independent and there won't be any room for compromise on net zero by 2050," said Haydon Manning, a political science professor at Flinders University in South Australia.

Unlike other developed nations, Australia has refused to budge from its Paris Agreement commitment to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 26 per cent to 28 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030.