Jamieson Murphy

The NSW government requested the Narrabri Gas Project to be scratched from a federal government list of fast-tracked projects, due to concerns it would make the independent assessment process appear pre-determined, freedom of information documents have revealed.

"There are extremities on the left and the right, but most Australians are somewhere about the sensible centre."

The committee urged the government to accept the recommendations, noting drought conditions were "likely to become more frequent, severe and longer due to climate change".

A taskforce will investigate why banks are shutting down country branches.

An analysis found more than half of the government's regional development grants awarded since 2018 went to major city areas.

When deputy Nationals leader David Littleproud was asked what the party needed in exchange for its support, he responded "money makes the world go around, mate".

Senior Nationals have warned the climate brawl "could get ugly" if the government pushed through a net-zero target, however Prime Minister Scott Morrison has already made moves to sideline the junior Coalition party if it can't come to an agreement.

"It's not a case of holding anyone to ransom, or anything like that," Barnaby Joyce said.

Previously the deadly virus, which spreads from flying foxes to horses, and horses to humans, had only been found in Queensland and parts of NSW.

Regional councils already feeling the effects of climate change have joined a nationwide call for ambitious federal government targets ahead of the United Nations climate summit.