ALP states to support Shorten if NEG revived

The Labor states have flagged their intention to work with a ­future Shorten government if it revives elements of the NEG.

Queensland Energy Minister Anthony Lynham. Picture: AAP

The Labor states have flagged their intention to work with a ­future Shorten government if it ­revives elements of the now “dead” national energy guarantee and lashed Scott Morrison for failing to provide details on his own plans to bring down power bills.

They have singled out the decision to separate the emissions-­reductions task from the energy portfolio now held by Angus Taylor as a mistake, warning the two must be linked to provide investment certainty.

Queensland Energy Minister Anthony Lynham yesterday told The Australian the Prime Minister had created a policy “vacuum” by walking away from the NEG.

“We stand ready to work with a federal Labor government on integrated climate and energy policy that will give investors certainty and drive down electricity prices,” he said.

“My department and I worked for months on the national energy guarantee, as did the Energy Security Board, the other states and territories and industry.”

Dr Lynham claimed there was “nothing but chaos and confusion” emerging from the Morrison government on energy policy and noted he had still not received a response to a letter, sent last month to former energy minister Josh Frydenberg, seeking further clarity on the government’s plans.

Victorian Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio also signalled she would work with any federal government to reduce prices, increase reliability and bring down emissions.

“Like we have always said, we’re happy to work with any commonwealth government on policies that deliver cleaner, cheaper and more reliable energy across the country,” she told The Australian.

Bill Shorten has flagged plans to revive aspects of the NEG, telling the ABC’s Insiders program on Sunday, “we are prepared to use that as part of our framework going forward”.

Energy Minister in the ACT Greens/Labor government Shane Rattenbury told The Australian the NEG was flawed policy, but that he was committed to securing the best possible version of the now scrapped policy through discussions at the Council of Australian Governments.

He also said the ACT would continue to press the federal government for a policy that linked energy policy to improved climate change outcomes.

“We’ll continue emphasising the critical need for action on emissions reduction and climate through national energy policy,” Mr Rattenbury said.

Mr Taylor hit back at the Labor states, telling The Australian: “We know what happens when you have very high emissions-reduction targets. You get South Australia with amongst the highest electricity prices in the world and an inability to keep the lights on.

“Labor clearly wants to take that failed experiment national.”

Speaking in parliament, Mr Taylor said the government would be able to reach its 26 per cent emissions-reduction target “without additional intervention”.

He also attacked Labor for its 45 per cent emissions-reduction target and 50 per cent renewable energy target, warning that the result would force all Australians to pay more for their electricity.