Coal is not the only issue in town: Wayne Swan

Wayne Swan says coal was not the only issue behind federal Labor’s disastrous election performance in Queensland.

Wayne Swan says coal was not the only issue behind federal Labor’s election performance in Queensland. Picture: Peter Wallis.

Labor’s national president Wayne Swan says coal was not the only issue behind federal Labor’s disastrous election performance in Queensland, as he argues for a rapid transition away from fossil fuels.

Mr Swan - the former treasurer - has called on the Labor Party in recent days to maintain a strong line on climate change as the party reviews its wider environmental and energy policies post-election.

Labor’s soft support for coal and the Adani Carmichael mine were seen as decisive factors in the federal election in May, with Labor losing seats and gaining none in Queensland.

Mr Swan today said there would need to be a transition from coal either way and added: “Coal is not the only issue in town” when it comes to Federal Labor’s troubles in the Sunshine State.

“When it comes to fossil fuels, it does mean we do need to make a rapid transition from the use of coal and other fossil fuels,” he told ABC radio.

“Coal is not the only issue in town and the truth is Australia produces about four per cent of the world’s raw level coal.

“Doing something about coal, reducing our reliance on coal is really important. But that sort of debate diverts attention from the main game.”

While Mr Swan would not commit to supporting Labor’s current 45 per cent emissions reduction target, he told ABC radio the party needed to stick to its “principles” on climate action.

The Labor national president’s intervention came days after opposition energy spokesman Mark Butler staunchly defended his policy on electric cars, which was heavily derided by Scott Morrison.

Mr Butler’s staunch defence came a week after his assistant, Pat Conroy, told The Australian the party should keep its 45 per cent emissions ­reduction target, despite fears the policy cost Labor votes in regional Queensland.