Scott Morrison won’t say if human-induced climate change is associated with the drought in Queensland and NSW because it doesn’t help solve practical problems.
The new prime minister visited a drought-stricken Quilpie farm in rural Queensland in his first visit in the job, but refused to say if he thought climate change was affecting the drought.
"It’s not a debate I’ve participated a lot in in the past, because I’m practically interested in the policies that will address what is going on here right and now.
"I’m interested in getting people’s electricity prices down and I’m not terribly interested in engaging in those sorts of debates at this point."
Mr Morrison said his passion for dealing with the drought came from a conversation with Nationals leader Michael McCormack in cabinet.
"Michael was really pushing that this really had to be put on our agenda and what our response was," he said.
"That had a big impact on me, Michael, and, as you know, we went through a whole range of packages that went through the budget."
"It goes on as long as the drought goes on.
"The appointment of climate change denier Barnaby Joyce as his drought envoy is a joke and a slap in the face for all in the sector who want meaningful drought policy reform," Mr Fitzgibbon said.
But Mr Morrison said the role made good use of the former deputy prime minister’s skills.