Politics Now: Deputy PM says Nats 'are as one' on climate policy

No images? Click here Monday 17 February Australia's must-read political briefing. The biggest stories delivered straight to your inbox each morning.   Today's talking points from Sky News Chief Anchor Kieran Gilbert   There’s been quite a lot of co-operation between the Australian government and China over the coronavirus evacuations and other support, but that hasn’t stopped the Chinese embassy expressing its “deep regret and dissatisfaction” with the ongoing travel ban. The Chinese ambassador will join me on Sky News at midday today for an exclusive interview about the crisis and its response.   After the government extended the travel restrictions from mainland China for another seven days, Australian authorities will be monitoring developments closely as the number of new cases declined for three days in a row in China.    With the higher education and tourism sectors hurting - the government won’t keep the ban in place for a week longer than they need to.  The stories you need to know: Bushfires: Backpackers come to the rescue in rebuild [The Australian] Live Aid down under: Fire Fight Australia fires up hearts [The Australian] They were about to send the police to look for me: RFS firefighter claims he was sacked following heated rant against PM  [The Daily Telegraph]   Labor MPs can 'raise anything they like' as Jackie Trad anger mounts [The Courier Mail]   Graham Ashton writes to schools in a bid to stop program run by retired long-serving cops [The Herald Sun]   Today's agenda 08:45 AM The Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee will hold a public hearing into Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Simplifying Income Reporting and Other Measures) Bill 2020. 10:00 AM The Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts will hold a public hearing into the deployment, adoption and application of 5G in Australia. 10:30 AM The Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport will hold a public hearing into allergies and anaphylaxis. 12:00 PM Live on Sky News Sky News Chief Anchor Kieran Gilbert interviews China’s ambassador to Australia about the coronavirus outbreak. Live from the Chinese embassy on Sky News at midday. TBA The first Australians evacuated from Wuhan and quarantined on Christmas Island are due to go home. TBA Andrew Wilkie is expected to meet with George Christensen in the UK ahead of a visit with Julian Assange on Tuesday. EXCLUSIVE: Canavan will ‘cross the floor’ if Liberals hurt ‘the people of Queensland’ Nationals Senator Matt Canavan has revealed he would vote against the Liberal Party on key issues such as climate change and energy if he thought the policies would hurt regional Australians. In an exclusive interview with Sky News Chief Anchor Kieran Gilbert, the former resources minister said it was his right to challenge any legislation which would hurt his constituents. “Every backbench member of the coalition has the right to form their own position on legislation the key thing you said there is if it is against the interests of my constituents,” he said.  “I would ever only cross the floor if it was a severe issue that was against the interests of the people of Queensland. “I have crossed the floor before, I don’t do it lightly though. It just depends – hopefully it doesn’t get to that situation but Kieran while I’m on the backbench I’m not intending to take a back seat.” Mr Canavan said the biggest policies he would “forcefully” fight against were those which would damage Queensland’s mining industry. “I will still forcefully express the views of the people of Queensland, stand up for those views, and things like our great coal industry that’s our nation’s largest export,” he said. “The fact we still rely on coal-fired power for the vast majority of electricity in this country, the fact that that source of electricity is still the predominant source of energy across the world and helps millions of people get out of poverty. “I’m going to keep forcefully standing up for those things.” Mr Canavan said he would oppose any increase to Australia’s Paris Agreement commitments without “other countries moving” as well. “I don’t think it’s right for us to take further unilateral action without other countries moving – that would not seem to make a lot of sense.” Read & watch in full at SkyNews.com.au   The conversations driving national debate   The Nationals 'are as one' on climate policy: Michael McCormack Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack says it is easy for the Liberal MP Trent Zimmerman to go for a “frolic” and argue for a net zero emissions target by 2050 because “he’s the member for North Sydney [and] I’m not the member for North Sydney”. Watch & share     ‘Question marks’ over govt’s support for Collinsville coal plant Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell says the proposed coal plant in Collinsville would be underwritten by government, not subsidised, but questions whether “political purposes are at play” given the state’s rigorous energy supply.  Watch & share     Labor experiencing 'very similar division' to Coalition Former Liberal MP Fiona Scott says Labor is experiencing a “very similar division” to the Coalition with its pro-coal rebel faction of MPs calling themselves the Otis Group. Watch & share     'I’m going to lead the Nationals to the next election': McCormack Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack has dismissed suggestions he is planning to hand over the reins of the Nationals in an “orderly” transition. Watch & share     Huawei's involvement in 5G network not in Australia's best interest Defence Minister Linda Reynolds says Australia must take a forward-leading approach in its decision to ban Huawei’s involvement in the 5G rollout. Watch & share     Australian News Channel Pty Ltd You're receiving this email as you have subscribed to Sky News Australia's daily political newsletter, Politics Now (previously titled '2600').   Like    Tweet    Forward  Preferences  |  Unsubscribe