NSW minister’s energy ‘stunt’ has negative effect

NSW has failed to secure the support of Liberal states and the Morrison government to help achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

NSW Energy Minister Don Harwin leaves a press conference in Adelaide, yesterday. Picture: AAP

NSW Energy Minister Don Harwin has failed to secure the support of Liberal states and the Morrison government for a road map to help achieve net zero emissions by 2050 as a deal was clinched to inject more reliable power into Australia’s energy mix.

Mr Harwin attacked the federal government following the Council of Australian Governments Energy Council meeting in Adelaide yesterday.

His tirade came after fellow ministers denied — on procedural grounds — his bid to have the ­Energy Security Board provide advice on how to achieve a net zero emissions target by mid-­century.

Insiders told The Australian the push by Mr Harwin was a “stunt”.

One source said state governments had not been consulted on the plan or given time to seriously consider it.

“The refusal … to let the vital matter of restoring an emissions obligation into national energy policy be discussed is extraordinary,” Mr Harwin said.

The position taken by Mr Harwin brings the NSW government into direct conflict with the Morrison government ahead of a state election in March, amid concerns voters will punish the Berejiklian government for chaos and division federally.

A lack of action on climate change was seen as a key factor that led voters to abandon the Liberals at the October by-election in the previously blue ribbon Sydney seat of Wentworth.

Mr Harwin implored the Morrison government to revive the now-dumped national energy guarantee, which integrates climate and energy policy and is seen by business as a means of restoring investor certainty to the electricity market.

The mechanism was dropped by Malcolm Turnbull in a bid to save his leadership and is also supported by Labor to achieve its higher emissions reduction target of 45 per cent of 2005 levels by 2030.

“We’ve been very clear all year that we support the NEG. Our position hasn’t changed. It’s the federal government’s position that’s changed. It’s not good enough. We want Australia to move forward on climate change, not stand still,” Mr Harwin said.

Federal Energy Minister Angus Taylor said emissions reductions in the national electricity market, representing about 85 per cent of electricity generation, were on track to meet Paris targets eight years ahead of schedule.

“Our emissions target is 26 per cent by 2030, (but) we’ll be at 28 per cent reductions by 2023,” Mr Taylor said.

The NSW Minerals Council said Mr Harwin’s target of net zero emissions would be likely send NSW into economic recession, costing thousands of jobs.

In a key outcome for the Morrison government, states agreed to implement the “retailer reliability obligation” — a mechanism to ensure more dispatchable generation.

The ESB has been tasked with drafting its legislation.