Nationals MPs not ruling out move on leader Michael McCormack before next election
Nervous Nationals MPs are not ruling out a move on theirleader , Michael McCormack, before the next election unless he significantly hardens his calls for a taxpayer underwrite of a coal-fired power station. In what looms as a dilemma for the Coalition, Queensland Nationals told the ABC they want coal generation among the projects shortlisted for taxpayer subsidy by Energy Minister Angus Taylor — and they want Mr McCormack to demand it. But Liberals said that if coal projects do feature on MrTaylor's "Underwriting New Generation Investments" list, their partywould suffer in city seats. This includes where sitting Liberal MPs are facing contests from high-profile independents preaching tougher action on climate change, such as Kooyong — held by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg — and former prime minister Tony Abbott's electorate of Warringah. One Nationals MP said the Coalition junior party was staring atits "worst percentage loss in Nationals history" a...