Chasing ‘climate crazies’

Victoria wants the Federal Government to stare down the “climate crazies” in its ranks and commit to increasing, not decreasing, future emission targets.

VICTORIA wants the Federal Government to stare down the “climate crazies” in its ranks and commit to increasing, not decreasing, future emission reduction targets.

The State Labor Government yesterday made the demand as part of a list of conditions it wants met before it considers signing up to the Coalition’s energy policy.

State and territory energy ministers will meet with their federal counterpart Josh Frydenberg in Sydney tomorrow to discuss the design of the National Energy Guarantee.

The National Energy Guarantee is aimed at cutting power costs for households by up to $550 a year.

It also includes targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions, to the ire of some federal MPs who believe it downplays the importance of coal in the energy mix.

The Labor governments of Victoria and Queensland have also challenged the policy, saying it doesn’t go far enough and questioning how well it’s supported by the Coalition party room.

“We can still get this right, but only if Malcolm Turnbull stares down the climate crazies in his party and puts a workable scheme on the table that doesn’t hurt local jobs and households,” Victorian Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said.

Victoria wants emissions reduction targets that “never go backwards” and are set by regulation rather than legislation, as the Federal Government is trying to do.

“It’s got to be flexible and not tie the hands of future federal governments that want to potentially have greater ambition in terms of reducing emissions,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.

In addition, Victoria wants a registry, accessible by regulators and governments, to ensure the NEG works “in the best interests of consumers”.

Labor has urged the prime minister to genuinely listen to the concerns of states about the policy, flagging the federal opposition could back it if the right deal is struck.

Labor leader Bill Shorten told reporters yesterday he had not given up hope an agreement could be struck.

“We don’t think that the proposal of the Government is all bad,” Mr Shorten said.

“I think what we need to see is a fair dinkum negotiation on Friday.

“What I don’t want to hear is that Mr Turnbull says one thing to the states on Friday and another thing to his party room next Tuesday.”