Cocktails and coal to capture support for MPs’ fossil fuel push

Labor frontbencher Joel Fitzgibbon and Liberal MP Craig Kelly will host a cocktail event promoting the use of carbon capture.

Labor agriculture spokesman Joel Fitzgibbon. Picture: AAP

Outspoken coal advocates Labor frontbencher Joel Fitzgibbon and Liberal MP Craig Kelly will host a cocktail event in Canberra promoting the use of carbon capture and storage to reduce the emissions of coal-fired power stations.

The pair has invited Santos managing director Kevin Gallagher and former Labor resources minister Martin Ferguson to the year’s first meeting of the Parliamentary Friends of Resources.

There will be a speech on the potential for carbon-capture technology by resources veteran David Byers, the chief executive for carbon capture and storage research body CO2CRC.

Mr Fitzgibbon, the opposition resources spokesman, said the evening would be a good opportunity to “lift awareness in the ­parliament of the wonderful progress we are making on carbon capture and storage”, adding: “The ­companies aren’t waiting for government; they are doing it all on their own.

“I hope the overwhelming ­majority of MPs and senators would rather meet our aspirations through technological advances than be debating the idea of somehow constraining carbon output through government regulation.

“I think there is a growing group of MPs and senators right across the parliament who understand we can take meaningful ­action on climate change without forsaking regional jobs.”

Mr Fitzgibbon and Mr Kelly have both created pro-coal ginger groups within their parties.

Mr Kelly’s Monash Forum has pushed the Coalition government to fund a new coal-fired power station, and Mr Fitzgibbon’s Otis Group is pushing Labor to hold the line on backing coal exports and jobs in the industry.

Mr Kelly said it was good there was bipartisan support for the resources sector. “There are many members of the Labor Party who understand the importance to their electorates of the coal industry,” he said. “And not only for jobs in their electorate, but also for ­government coffers from the coal industry, which pays for schools, hospitals and aged care.”

The Carbon Capture and Storage Association says the technology can capture up to 90 per cent of emissions produced from fossil fuel electricity generation. The carbon dioxide is transported by pipeline for underground storage so it doesn’t enter the atmosphere.

Separately, pro-resources Labor MPs have rebranded a Labor Friends of Resources and Resources Communities friendship group in an effort to increase their influence on Anthony Albanese’s caucus.

Up to 30 MPs are members of Queensland Labor MP Milton Dick’s group, including frontbenchers Murray Watt, Matt Keogh, Shayne Neumann, Mich­elle Rowland, Madeleine King and Terri Butler.