Abbott unveils energy vision

TONY Abbott has unveiled an alternative vision for Australia’s energy future in a direct challenge to Malcolm Turnbull as the Prime Minister leads an increasingly divided government.

Mr Abbott unleashed his strongest criticism yet of the “so-called” National Energy Guarantee, claiming it would do nothing to lower power prices.

The former PM’s sevenpoint plan includes keeping coal-fired power stations open, forcing renewable generators to operate around the clock and lifting the nuclear power ban.

Up to 12 Coalition MPs are reserving their right to cross the floor over the NEG — including Nationals firebrand George Christensen, who is vowing to vote against the policy unless his own list of demands are met.

Mr Abbott has accused Mr Turnbull of not listening to backbench MPs and said Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg must “go back to the drawing board”.

“If the PM had been as attentive to his own backbench as he is to the senate crossbench, the government would not be in its current fix,” Mr Abbott said.

“Ask people what they want from energy policy and the answer, overwhelmingly, is lower power bills. The message is pretty clear: a government that wants to win an election (but has lost 38 successive Newspolls) must focus on price. That’s exactly what the socalled National Energy Guarantee does not do.”

Mr Abbott said turning the 26 per cent emissions reduction target into law would not provide certainty because there would be a review every three years.

He said the Turnbull government should be “grateful” Victoria was refusing to sign up and it should “take this escape while it’s still on offer”.