Abetz cool on energy target
TASMANIAN Liberal senator Eric Abetz is unlikely to support the clean energy target advocated in the Finkel review.
His comments come after former prime minister Tony Abbott threatened to cross the floor to vote against the chief scientist’s clean energy target and any further subsidies to renewable projects.
Senator Abetz, a close ally of Mr Abbott’s, said: “I would need to see any proposal but trust that affordability and reliability are the focus which would mitigate against a clean energy target.”
Other Liberal senators have talked up the State Government’s Battery of the Nation idea — but have stopped short of endorsing the clean energy target.
Senator Jonathon Duniam was asked if he would vote against the clean energy target, which would apply after 2020.
“Rather than worrying about hypothetical situations, I’m focused on the real challenges in energy policy — such as keeping costs down, ensuring power reliability and improving environmental sustainability,” he said.
“Tasmania has real potential in providing affordable baseload renewable energy for the nation which has the backing of both the federal and state governments.”
Senator David Bushby said he fully supported discussions under way to develop Tasmania’s Hydro operations, particularly pumped hydro options.
“Keeping the lights on requires a technology agnostic approach,” he said.
“I am fully committed to the Government’s position of ensuring Australians have access to energy that is affordable, reliable and environmentally sustainable.”
Hydro Tasmania is looking at pumped hydro options and the Gordon power station expansion, which would increase Tasmania’s renewable energy output from 2500 to 5000 megawatts. Together with the development of a second interconnector, it would allow significant exports.
Senator Abetz said coalfired power would continue to be an important part of the energy mix into the future by providing reliable and affordable baseload power.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull refused to comment on a report in The Australian that up to six backbenchers would either abstain or vote against the Government on the target.