Matt Kean says Joel Fitzgibbon a climate ally in ‘sensible centre’ against ideologues
NSW Energy Minister Matt Kean has claimed a surprise unity ticket on climate policy with rogue Labor MP Joel Fitzgibbon.
NSW Energy Minister Matt Kean has claimed a surprise unity ticket on climate policy with outspoken Labor MP Joel Fitzgibbon, declaring both were trying to take their respective parties to the “sensible centre” on the issue.
Mr Kean lauded Mr Fitzgibbon’s policy approach and declared both MPs had garnered controversy for taking on the “ideologues” within the Coalition and Labor. Mr Kean has faced internal criticism, particularly from federal Nationals MPs, for pushing the Coalition to take stronger climate policies, while Mr Fitzgibbon has come under fire within Labor for pushing for a more pragmatic approach.
Mr Kean said, like Mr Fitzgibbon, he backed a net-zero emissions target and “absolutely” supported the coal and gas industries.
“We are both trying to come to the sensible centre,” Mr Kean said of Mr Fitzgibbon.
Mr Kean’s energy investment roadmap, which passed the state parliament last month, has been savaged as a “carbon tax” by Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce for incentivising renewables projects to replace coal-fired power stations when they reached the end of their economic life.
Mr Kean, who has been labelled “Matt Green” by his critics, said both he and Mr Fitzgibbon had been falsely narrowcasted by their internal opponents for trying to take the politics out of the issue.
“It frustrates me that ideologues, instead of engaging in what is a very complex area of public policy which is very nuanced, try to simplify the argument through petty name-calling and running clichéd lines,” Mr Kean said.
“There is nothing green about listening to the economists and the engineers and there is certainly nothing climate-denying about wanting to protect your constituency and support jobs.
“This is not about closing coal, this is certainly not about closing down coalmines, this is about knowing that our existing sources of generation are coming to the end of their lives. It is about planning for when that happens to make sure we have replacement capacity.
“We need to be making decisions on economics rather than ideology and mythology.”
Mr Fitzgibbon quit the shadow cabinet last month after a blistering argument with Anthony Albanese over the party’s focus on climate change. The Hunter MP on Sunday lashed out at Scott Morrison for failing to sign up to a net-zero emissions target, a decision that saw Australia snubbed at a United Nations climate change event on the weekend.
“Scott Morrison has embarrassed us internationally,” Mr Fitzgibbon told Sky News.
“All he had to say is ‘Australia commits to net-zero emissions by 2050’. It is not that hard.
“He has basically said that is his aspiration anyway. But you know why he won’t say it? Because that is his personality. He just can’t bring himself to back down, to admit he was wrong and to correct his error.”
Mr Fitzgibbon said the government would not have to make any immediate changes in policy by signing up to the 2050 target.
“Although (more ambition) would be nice,” he said.
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