Anthony Albanese hits back at Greens, says they are ‘not helping’ progress climate policy

A major election promise from Anthony Albanese hangs in the balance as the Greens continue to hold the government to ransom.

Anthony Albanese is set to be given a two-day deadline to release the modelling underpinning his signature climate policy or risk an awkward stand-off in the Senate.

The Prime Minister laid down the gauntlet early on Tuesday morning, refusing to buckle to the Greens’ demands to strike out new fossil fuel projects, telling a business summit that gas would play a key role in the transition to renewables.

“My message is twofold. That a message to the Greens and others that for all of the rhetoric, if it doesn’t stack up, if it has a negative impact, then you’re not actually helping the transition of what you say your objectives are,” Mr Albanese said.

Anthony Albanese has urged the Greens to drop their opposition to the policy. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Just hours later, the minor party struck back, declaring it would attempt to have the government’s public interest immunity claim on the safeguard mechanism’s modelling thrown out in the Senate.

The safeguard mechanism is a benchmark that requires Australia’s 2015 largest greenhouse gas emitters to keep their carbon footprint below a set limit. Firms that breach the limit would be required to purchase carbon offsets or trade emissions with other companies.

It’s a key component of Labor’s plan to reduce emissions by 43 per cent by 2030.

Modelling by Reputex, commissioned by the Climate Council and Australian Conservation Forum, showed emissions from 16 new coal and gas projects would be about 25 per cent of what the mechanism would aim to reduce.

The Greens claim it has the Coalition’s support to try to force the government to release the department modelling.

If successful, the government could find itself in a sticky situation should it continue to refuse to hand over the modelling when the Thursday deadline hits.

Greens leader Adam Bandt says he will pass the Bill if the government bans new coal and gas. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

The government remains optimistic its landmark election promise will pass, but the future of the Bill hangs in the balance. Given the Coalition is against the plan, without the support of the Greens and two crossbenchers, the safeguard mechanism will be dead in the water.

Speaking on Sky News, Greens leader Adam Bandt insisted he was continuing to have “good faith” discussions with the government, denying his no new coal or gas demand was an ultimatum.

“We put forward an offer, not an ultimatum. We said we would pass the safeguard unamended if the government agrees to stop making the problem worse, to stop pouring the petrol on the fire.”

He indicated his party could be willing to come to the table should the government consider legislating the Greens’ proposed climate trigger.

The so-called trigger would require he Environment Minister consider the climate impact of a major development during the approval process under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen said a total ban on new fossil fuel projects would be “irresponsible”.

“It would be irresponsible to have a blanket ban of the nature of which the Greens have indicated,” he told ABC’s RN.

“That's their view, but it’s an offer, not an ultimatum. (Mr Bandt) is happy to have good faith talks. We’ve had those and we’ll continue to have them.”