Finkel Clean Energy Target: Up to quarter of Turnbull ministry not convinced of benefit

EXCLUSIVE: Up to a quarter of Malcolm Turnbull’s ministry hold grave concerns about chief scientist Alan Finkel’s Clean Energy Target to reduce emissions.

The Dr Finkel plan directly addresses coal-fired power such as that generated at Bayswater station in the Hunter Valley.

• Backbenchers challenge Turnbull over Clean Energy Target
• Chief scientest Dr Alan Finkel presents landmark review
• New green scheme could save households hundreds

UP to a quarter of Malcolm Turnbull’s ministry hold grave concerns about chief scientist Alan Finkel’s Clean Energy Target to reduce emissions.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal at least 10 ministers, out of 42 in cabinet and the wider ministry, hold reservations about the 42 per cent effective­ renewable energy target included in Dr Finkel’s report to the government.

The Daily Telegraph can also reveal the positions of 24 Coaltion MPs who have raised concerns about the CET.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott said the party “did not want to see a whole lot of greenie posturing”.

“No one in punterland cares about the Paris target even though we have to remain committed to it,” one minister said last night.

Despite the growing opposition within his ranks, Mr Turnbull was bullish yesterday when pressed on the need to take action on energy security­ and power prices.

Warren’s views.

“Glib answers and one-liners­ have been of no assistance in keeping Australian’s energy secure and affordable,” he said.

“What Australians need is wise leadership, not glib leadership. What Australians need is economics and engineering, not ideology and politics. They’ve had too much of that. All that has done is drive electricity prices up and put reliability at risk.”

Daily Telegraph

The issue, which will provoke robust debate in cabinet, is not emerging as a threat to Mr Turnbull’s leadership. Even those most vehemently opposed to Dr Finkel’s proposal­ are prepared to work towards a consensus on a clean energy target.

Assistant Vocational Education and Skills Minister Karen Andrews was the first frontbencher to speak in the party room on Tuesday and surprised colleagues by expressing reservations about Dr Finkel’s report.

Daily Telegraph

Assistant Trade, Tourism and Investment Minister Keith Pitt’s anxieties were read out by a proxy, making his position clear that he was firmly against the CET.

And Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar is opposed to the 42 per cent effective renewable energy target, while Cities Minister Angus Taylor holds concerns about the cost of energy, particularly in rural and outer suburban areas which his electorate covers.

Daily Telegraph

Social Services and Multicultural Affairs minister Zed Seselja has not expressed a public position and chose not to speak in the party room but is understood to also harbour reservations about the target.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton, one of the most senior leaders of the Right, will be expected to express the views of conservative MPs when the Finkel report is discussed in cabinet.

Daily Telegraph

Finance Minister Matthias Cormann is also expected to be vocal in cabinet on the vigorous­ opposition of many West Australian Liberals.

He was outspoken when the Renewable Energy Target was introduced.

Government sources said ministers Alan Tudge and Matthew Canavan also have private concerns about aspects of Dr Finkel’s report.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott said the party “did not want to see a whole lot of greenie posturing” and described the mood in the party as one of “robust commonsense”.

“It’s nice to reduce emissions ... but frankly we shouldn’t be doing that if it’s going to clobber power prices, hurt the economy and cost jobs,” he said.

Under Dr Finkel’s plan, companies will be incentivised to invest in renewable, cleaner technology, gas or coal with carbon capture storage, with the costs of such investing passed on to consumers.