Greenie activists push Labor to promote solar and keep electricity power prices high
VICTORIA’S Labor government is poised to scupper Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s signature energy policy because it fears the wrath of green activists.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
VICTORIA’S Labor government is poised to scupper Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s signature energy policy because it fears the wrath of green activists.
News of the Labor stance comes as Australia’s biggest employers, small business, the energy industry and the agricultural sector today join forces to urge politicians to support the National Energy Guarantee. State energy ministers will be asked to sign the NEG on Friday.
MORE: Lowest NSW electricity prices revealed
In a direct attack on Labor states, Business Council chief executive Jennifer Westacott said rows over emissions reduction targets was “not an excuse” to block the deal.
“For the first time in a decade we have a policy on the table that puts both affordability and reliability at the centre of the debate alongside reducing emissions,” Ms Westacott said.
Federal Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg seized on the comments and warned Labor states against “caving into the Greens” because it would cost households $550 a year on their energy bills.
MORE NEWS:
Boy, 16, charged over Glebe stabbing
NRL to crack down on player agents
50m trail of shattered glass, car debris and chunks of wood
Yesterday Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews signalled his reluctance to sign the deal.
“I think we’re right to say we want the Prime Minister to demonstrate he’s got the numbers in his own show before we start signing anything,” he said.
If an agreement is reached this week, the only aspect of the NEG at jeopardy would be if the national emissions reduction target is set at 26 to 28 per cent, in line with 2015’s Paris Climate Agreement.
Labor wants the target set higher, while some in the Coalition have called for the government to pull out of the Paris accord.
Mr Andrews also said the energy reforms would force states to give up authority to set some renewable energy targets despite advice handed to states that directly contradicts his claim.
His reticence comes as activist groups GetUp! and Greenpeace ramp up pressure on Labor states to reject the energy deal, flexing their combined muscle before November’s Victorian election. The groups have raised more than $170,000 to run TV ads in Victoria and Queensland until Thursday to pressure their Labor governments.
Greenpeace members have sent about 10,000 emails to state energy ministers urging them to vote against the NEG.
Mr Frydenberg said this Friday was an opportunity to put the national interest first.
MORE: Nationals’ party room demands changes to NEG
“The question for Labor states this Friday is will they listen to the experts and deliver lower power prices for their communities or cave into the Greens and prolong the investor uncertainty,” he said. “The time for excuses is over.”
Federal Labor spokesman Tony Burke said it was vital the NEG did not lock in a permanently low emissions target.