Coalition group backs power station
A NEW coal-fired power station in central Queensland would be built under a push by a group of Coalition backbenchers.
The group – calling themselves the “Monash Forum” – have signed up to a document warning against the “demonisation” of coal.
The members of the group, which numbers up to 20 MPs, have denied they are trying to destabilise Malcolm Turnbull’s leadership.
They say they want to “test” Mr Turnbull and Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg on whether the government’s planned National Energy Guarantee allows for new coal plants.
Some MPs are angry with the group, which has been meeting for a number of years, for “trying to act like the group is bigger than it is”. Although the document flags building a “Hazelwood 2.0” in Victoria, Queensland group members want a new power station built in the north.
Flynne MP Ken O’Dowd said a new high efficiency, low emission coal-fired power plant should be built next to the existing station in Gladstone.
“We need to lower power prices and have reliable power supply, we don’t want to see Queensland plunge into darkness,” Mr O’Dowd said. “Coal is one of Flynne’s richest commodities, let’s be sensible.”