Barnaby Joyce’s claim that changes to the sun’s magnetic fields were linked to the bushfires burning out of control across NSW have been rubbished by climate scientists.

The former deputy prime minister told Sky News he accepted that the climate crisis was making Australia hotter and drier.

Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce during Question Time at Parliament House earlier this year. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

But the Nationals member for New England said other factors including changes to magnetic fields were also to blame.

"There are a range of things that affect the climate and on a global scale, you should be part of it, and acknowledge it would have an effect and I acknowledge that there are other issues as well," he said.