Coalition to look at coal subsidies, stick with nuclear
Subsidies may be offered to extend the life of coal-fired power plants, while nuclear is also likely to feature in the opposition’s long-awaited climate and energy policy.
Political wrangling within the coalition has centered on the Liberals’ commitment to a target of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050; It’s a position the party is prepared to follow in littering its junior partner, the Nationals.
The Liberal Party’s official stance on the climate target will be determined following meetings in Canberra in midweek.
However, opposition energy spokesman Dan Tehan pointed out that subsidies could be given to keep existing coal-fired power plants operating longer, while also supporting increasing gas supplies.
“We need to make sure we sweat those coal assets and also get more gas into the system much more quickly,” he told Sky News on Sunday.
Asked whether the opposition would support subsidies for coal power plants, Mr Tehan said those discussions would happen and that it was “absolutely vital” to work with states to ensure fossil fuel remains in the system to reduce energy prices.
The NSW Labor government is moving to extend the life of Australia’s largest coal-fired power station, Eraring, in 2024, while the Queensland Liberal National government wants to continue operating coal plants until 2046.
Mr Tehan also foreshadowed that the Liberals would continue their pre-election policy of supporting the development of nuclear power plants.
“We definitely want to see a nuclear policy and we have already decided to lift the ban through the coalition agreement and that will be a big part of the discussions we have,” he said.
Lifting the federal ban on nuclear power in Australia under the Howard coalition government in the late 1990s was a condition of repairing the split between the Nationals and Liberals following the disastrous election in May.
The coalition has been rocked by a series of poor polls as pressure mounts on Opposition Leader Sussan Ley’s leadership over net-zero policies that have divided moderate and conservative members of her party.
Mr Tehan backed Ms Ley when asked if she was ready for the job.
“The majority in the caucus said he was the one who had to lead us to the next election,” he said.
“After the worst election defeat we have experienced since the Second World War, let’s make sure we start building a policy platform that we can explain and carry to the Australian people.”
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