Coalition plans to strip climate from energy operator's objectives

ABC NEWS (Australia)

The coalition has unveiled its long-awaited climate and energy policy, promising to prioritise affordability over cutting emissions. Just days after the liberal party dumped its net zero climate target Sussan Ley stood beside David Littleproud to promote their new plan to pursue what they call a "technology neutral approach" when it comes to power.

Transcript

00:00Uniting behind a plan, the coalition leaders standing side by side, putting months of turmoil

00:06behind them.

00:07The plan that I release today is all about affordable energy and responsible emissions

00:15reduction.

00:16This debate is not one predicated on science, it is one predicated on economics.

00:20The lived experience that Australians are feeling in their energy bill every quarter.

00:24Liberal and Nationals members meeting virtually today to sign off on the 30 page Climate

00:29and Energy Policy, pledging to direct the nation's energy market operator to design

00:34a grid focused on cost and reliability, not on cutting emissions.

00:39To put constraints on the rollout of renewables in the regions, to establish an East Coast

00:45gas reserve and to use taxpayer funds to underwrite new and existing power generation, including

00:51coal and gas plants.

00:54That's despite concerns from Liberal moderates.

00:56We've said all along that we will take a technology neutral approach.

01:02The coalition dumping the net zero climate target and dismantling most of Labor's policies

01:07to drive down emissions.

01:09Instead, we will reduce emissions on average year on year, in line with comparable countries,

01:15and as fast and as far as technology will allow.

01:18If anyone thinks that there is certainty in the coalition going forward, then they're not

01:23paying any attention to the rabble and clown show that the coalition have become.

01:30The policy reset a victory for the Nationals and Conservative Liberals worried about rising

01:35support for One Nation.

01:37Their next target, immigration.

01:40They are trying to outflank Pauline Hanson.

01:43The coalition has taken a huge gamble and it's asking voters to take a leap of faith.

01:49Susan Leigh won't say when power bills would come down under her plan or by how much, and

01:55she won't commit to setting emissions reduction targets until the coalition's in government.

02:01Labor is vulnerable to attacks on rising electricity costs.

02:06The question is whether Australians are convinced by the alternative plan.

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