Nationals "agree to negotiate" ETS

… but will still vote it down anyway!

THE Nationals have given Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull the go-ahead to negotiate amendments to the federal government's emissions trading scheme.

But they have vowed to vote against Labor legislation - amended or unamended - setting up the carbon pollution reduction scheme.

The Nationals and Liberals will thrash out amendments proposed by the shadow ministry during a special joint coalition parties meeting in Canberra on Sunday.

"Well, you support amendments to try to tone it down," Nationals senate leader Barnaby Joyce told ABC Radio, adding it was "a safety provision".

"You do everything in your power to turn the volume on this ridiculous tax down."

Strange times indeed.

Read it here.