BHP chief takes aim

BHP Billiton chief Andrew Mackenzie says dogmatic politicians and lobby groups pushing a particular energy source are setting the nation up for failure and should “back off” from the energy debate.

The chief of the Melbournebased mining titan said the public should be sceptical of parties claiming a single technology – be it renewables or coal – could solve the “energy conundrum” of producing cheap and reliable electricity while addressing climate change.