The Nationals are once again, in the words of Chris Bowen, “having a normal one”.

Another Monday, another parliamentary week, another chapter in the seemingly never-ending story of the Coalition putting its fingers in its ears and screaming as they debate whether to ignore global momentum, scientific consensus and pleas from the business community, and seek to relitigate a position on net zero reached four years ago by the Morrison government.

It seems like aeons ago. As Barnaby Joyce walks out of the Nationals party room in the latest sign some in the Coalition are in no rush to finish their ugly airing of grievances, it could be at least that long again before conservatives make it back to government.

But it’s worth remembering the Coalition’s 2021 net zero pledge was reached by

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