Politics · Australia · 16 hrs ago
Canavan backs Paris Agreement but opposes EU trade deal
Nationals leader Matt Canavan supports Australia staying in the Paris Agreement, the international climate treaty.
The Queensland senator opposes a proposed free trade agreement between Australia and the European Union, saying its climate terms could bind Australia to commitments beyond those it has accepted.
The deal’s provisional text calls for parties to avoid actions that undermine the Paris Agreement and to promote a transition to net-zero and low-emissions development.
Canavan says this could create a backdoor obligation to reach net zero, although he accepts that Australia should reduce emissions where it can afford to do so.
The government has a legislated target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Canavan also argues the deal could hurt Australian dairy farmers because it does not address European subsidies, while the Minerals Council says it could benefit critical-minerals exporters.
He has contacted Trade Minister Don Farrell to discuss the deal, and Farrell has said it would bring $10 billion in trade and is not being renegotiated.
Matt Canavan says Australia should remain in the Paris Agreement but opposes the proposed free trade deal with the European Union.
The Queensland senator argues the deal could bind Australia to commitments beyond its existing climate obligations, including a transition towards net zero.
Canavan says emissions should be reduced where this can be done without harming the economy.
He has texted Trade Minister Don Farrell to discuss the agreement and says he wants to be constructive.
Canavan also argues the deal would expose Australian dairy farmers to unfair competition, while the Minerals Council says it would benefit critical-minerals companies.
- Who
- Queensland senator Matt Canavan and the Australian government, including Trade Minister Don Farrell.
- What
- Canavan supports Australia staying in the Paris Agreement but opposes the EU free trade deal, saying its climate commitments go too far.
- When
- Sunday, 8 November 2026.
- Where
- Australia; the proposed trade agreement is with the European Union.
- Why
- Canavan says the deal could bind Australia to climate commitments beyond its existing obligations and would not address European dairy subsidies.
Matt Canavan
Australian government
Climate commitments
Matt Canavan
Canavan says the deal could bind Australia to net zero and goes beyond the commitments Australia has signed up to.
Australian government
The government says the deal reaffirms existing climate obligations.
Trade deal
Matt Canavan
Canavan says he cannot support the agreement in its current form, including because it exposes Australian dairy farmers to unfair competition.
Australian government
Trade Minister Don Farrell has said the agreement would yield $10 billion worth of trade and that there is no renegotiation.
Canavan announced his bid for pre-selection for the lower-house seat of Capricornia in central Queensland.
Canavan said he texted Trade Minister Don Farrell to discuss the EU trade deal.
Canavan said Australia should remain in the Paris Agreement but opposed the EU trade deal.
- Canavan
- Queensland senator
- Trade agreement
- Proposed free trade deal between Australia and the European Union
- Climate target
- Australia has a legislated target of net zero emissions by 2050
- Trade value
- Don Farrell said the agreement would yield $10 billion worth of trade
- Capricornia
- Lower-house seat in central Queensland sought by Canavan through pre-selection
What people are saying
What we can't afford is a mad pursuit of net zero.
So what the government is trying to do here is use the EU free trade deal as a backdoor way to bind Australia to net zero.
I can't sign off on a deal that wipes out Australian dairy farmers, exposes them to unfair competition, because this deal does not deal with the massive European subsidies that go to dairy — the cheese mountains that result from that — and our dairy industry would be sacrificed.
there is no renegotiation here