Nationals Leader Matt Canavan Denies Walking Out of EU Trade Deal Meeting as Gas Reservation Scheme Draws Coalition Scrutiny

UPDATE - follow-up to Australian politics live: Canavan denies he walked out on EU trade meeting; AEC warns about 'emerging' risk of AI in voting: Nationals leader Matt Canavan has denied walking out of a meeting with Trade Minister Don Farrell regarding the European Union trade deal, suggesting Farrell is under pressure due to a lack of friends for his deal. Farrell had earlier told the ABC that Canavan and shadow foreign affairs minister Ted O'Brien walked out while he was explaining the agreement. Canavan stated that Farrell ended the discussion instead and that he has written to Farrell with practical suggestions for improving the deal. Meanwhile, the Coalition is seeking changes to the government's gas reservation scheme, with shadow resources minister Susan McDonald calling for more investment in gas rather than less. McDonald wants government modelling to show exactly how much prices will drop and when, warning that a short-term price drop could discourage future exploration and make the country solely reliant on big LNG exporters. Resources Minister Madeleine King defended the policy on RN Breakfast, stating that an enduring regulatory framework will put downward pressure on prices by increasing market supply, though she did not provide a specific timeline or guaranteed price drop amount. King also noted that the Australian energy market body AEMO will run studies to help the Australian Energy Regulator adjust domestic supply obligations for exporters while respecting existing export contracts. In addition, King defended proposed changes to reduce private health insurance rebates for people over 65, arguing that rebates should be tied to income rather than age and accusing the Coalition of hypocrisy for blocking a budget-saving measure while calling for reduced government spending.

Context

This update follows ongoing parliamentary debates over major economic policies, trade agreements, and energy market regulations in Australia. The government continues to face pushback from the Coalition and crossbench senators on key budget and legislative measures.