Barnaby Joyce has compared his drawn-out divorce from the Nationals to punching a journalist in the nose.

The former deputy prime minister chose not to attend Nationals party room meetings because of a dispute over climate policy, as parliament resumes for a fortnight.

The regional party is reviewing its commitment to net zero emissions by 2050 but Mr Joyce believes his colleagues must abandon the policy without compromise.

Asked by one reporter whether his position on net zero was all or nothing, he said it was a matter of aspiration and targets.

"If I was to say ... I have a target to punch you in the nose, but now I've just got an aspiration, would you feel more comfortable about it?" Mr Joyce asked the journalist.

"By the way, I'm not a violent man," he added.

"That was a metapho

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