My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Cormann. In an article entitled 'Nats join revolt against energy guarantee', the assistant minister to the Prime Minister, Nationals MP Keith Pitt, has revealed:

… at least seven of the 21 Nationals MPs—and potentially more—had serious concerns with the NEG …

Why is the Prime Minister bothering to seek support for his latest energy policy from states and territories when not even his own assistant minister supports it?