Coalition Government MPs raise ‘serious misgivings’ over plan to adopt a clean energy target

PRIME Minister Malcolm Turnbull has faced a backlash from Coalition MPs over a proposal to adopt a clean energy targets.

Former PM Tony Abbott has raised concerns over a clean energy target.

BITTER divisions within the federal government over climate change have reopened with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull facing a mini-revolt over energy policy.

Coalition MPs laid their concerns bare in a lengthy party room meeting last night over an independent review of Australia’s energy policy by Chief Scientist Alan Finkel.

PM Malcolm Turnbull faced a backlash over the prospect on to introducing a Clean Energy Target — recommended by the scheme — in a battle which could again become a test of his leadership.

Among about 10 MPs who “vehemently” opposed a push towards renewable energy away from coal-fired power where Mr Turnbull’s predecessor Tony Abbott.

Former PM Tony Abbott has raised concerns over a clean energy target.

Despite the CET having the support from senior government figures it has not been endorsed by the backbench.

It’s understood about 20 MPs expressed “serious misgivings” over some of the recommendations of the review and argued the government should not force coal-fired power stations out of business.

Just five spoke in favour of it and about five were said to be noncommittal.

The Herald Sun has been told there were “tense words” during the three-hour discussion between some MPs — including frontbencher Craig Laundy and Mr Abbott.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s leadership could hinge on energy policy.

Victorian Liberal MP Kevin Andrews and Russell Broadbent and Nationals MPs Bridget McKenzie and Andrew Broad were among those to raise concerns with adopting a CET.

Several MPs also reinforced their opposition to Australia singing the Paris climate change agreement with a target of reducing emissions by 26-28 per cent by 2030.

Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg took questions from Coalition MPs for three hours over climate policy.

It’s understood many of the misgivings focused around household electricity bills and similar renewable energy targets of state governments which the federal government has been critical.

Another told the meeting it the government could not provide investor confidence in the sector when it was likely any future Labor government would likely tear up the policy.

Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg said last night it was “too early to say” if he Coalition backbench would endorse the proposed scheme.

He said it was a “full and frank discussion” about the electricity market and the meeting was a “information-gathering session” rather than “making any decisions about Dr Finkel’s proposal”.

“There was an overwhelming feeling among those in the party room tonight that business-as-usual is not an option,” Mr Frydenberg told ABC.

Labor leader Bill Shorten said the “sensible proposal” should have been taken seriously and Mr Turnbull had again “failed on climate change”.

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