Abbott’s dire warning to Turnbull over clean energy

TONY Abbott has issued a dire threat to the government’s stability, forming a splinter group to derail a vital vote for the Prime Minister.

TONY Abbott has warned he’ll cross the floor if the Coalition tries to legislate a clean energy target, with up to six backbenchers tipped to follow him.

“He has let the government know his position. He won’t vote for a clean energy target,” a government source told The Australian on Wednesday.

In an opinion piece, Mr Abbott argues the recommendation by the chief scientist for such a target should be ignored.

“It would be unconscionable for a government that was elected promising to scrap the carbon tax and to end Labor’s climate change obsessions to go down this path,” he writes.

Tony Abbott could derail the Government with his plan to cross the floor. Picture Gary Ramage

Owner AGL has announced they plan to close the ageing coal-fired Liddell Power Station in 2022, but the Prime Minister is pushing for the plant to remain open. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts

Mr Abbott claims it is bordering on absurd that a country with the world’s largest readily available reserves of coal, gas and uranium should have some of the highest power prices on the planet.

“But that’s what happens when policy is driven by wishful thinking and green religion.”

On Tuesday, Mr Abbott told 2GB the Turnbull government could send a strong signal to AGL by dumping all subsidies for renewable energy and encouraging coal-fired power.

With Australia facing a massive energy crisis, Mr Turnbull is pushing for AGL to keep ageing coal-fired Liddell Power Station open at enormous cost.

Labor leader Bill Shorten is ramping up his campaign for the greater use of gas in opposition to the Turnbull government’s support for old coal-fired power stations.