By insisting on ‘no harm to regional Australia’ conditions to the Morrison government’s proposed upgrading of its ‘hope’ to achieve net zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050 to a ‘pledge’ to do so, the Nationals have given ScoMo a ‘get-out-of-jail’ card. He has been ‘forced’, with an election looming, to do what was a political necessity to hold rural seats, while still appearing to be keeping Australia inside the climate tent rather than being singled out for punishment as an emissions laggard.