Chris Bowen steals a well-worn ScoMo line in energy debate

Chris Bowen has invoked the words of Scott Morrison in defence of his latest move to fix to the east coast energy crisis.

Scott Morrison may no longer be prime minister but his words live on in the form of new Energy Minister Chris Bowen.

Mr Bowen was addressing reporters on the new “capability mechanism” when he invoked a well-worn phrase from the former prime minister - that he was “getting on with the job”.

The mechanism has been designed to ensure stability in the national energy grid and could see coal and gas generators paid for reliable supply.

But the Greens, who want the government to do more to wean Australia off fossil fuels, have a different idea.

Mr Bowen rebuked the Greens comments on Monday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“The idea of paying coal and gas to stay in the system isn‘t just going to make the climate crisis worse, it’s going to reward the big corporations who have been holding us to ransom,” Greens leader Adam Bandt said.

When questioned about Mr Bandt’s objections on Monday, the Energy Minister said he was simply “getting on with the job”.

“What I’ll be focused on is getting on with the job,” Mr Bowen told reporters.

“The Greens can have their position but those in charge of implementing this are the ones who will get on with the job of delivering a capacity mechanism.”

Mr Morrison often used the phrase “getting on with the job” to brush off curly questions, including during the surge of Omicron cases over summer.

The capability mechanism will be designed to shore up power supply. Picture: iStock

“I don't think anybody expects everything to go perfectly for any government … And, so, look, I’m just getting on with the job,” the former prime minister said in February.

On the capability mechanism, Mr Bowen said the Labor government would proceed at pace and added it would be designed so states could shape it to suit their own needs.

“It's appropriate that states can implement this in a way that is suitable for their needs, but it will be within that national framework and it will complement our emissions target,” he added.

Mr Bowen repurposed an old zinger to lay blame for the ongoing crisis, saying it was “tailor made” by former minister Angus Taylor.

Greens leader Adam Bandt said his party is prepared to be constructive with the Labor government to pass 2030 legislation. Picture: Dan Peled/Getty Images

Earlier, Mr Bandt left the door open to voting for the government’s beefed up emissions reductions target.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last week notified the United nations of Australia’s target to reduce emissions on 2005 levels by 43 per cent by 2030.

He hopes to legislate that plan when parliament returns in July, but will need the support of the Greens and the crossbench, given Labor does not have a majority in the Senate.

The Greens leader hit out at the Prime Minister’s take it or leave it approach, but said he would come at the legislation with an open mind.

“At the moment the government’s approach is ‘it’s my way or the highway’ and the government has been very clear that they’re not going to consider amendments,” Mr Bandt said.

“That kind of hairy-chested approach from the government is what people have just rejected.”