Coal rebels refuse to be silenced

Scott Morrison’s cabinet is rupturing, with at least four senior ministers backing new coal projects or upgrades to existing plants.

Deputy Nationals Leader Bridget McKenzie. Picture: Kym Smith

Scott Morrison’s cabinet is rupturing, with at least four senior ministers backing new coal projects or upgrades to existing plants and Nationals deputy leader Bridget McKenzie declaring a clean coal-fired power station should be on the shortlist to receive government assistance.

The Prime Minister yesterday claimed a coal rebellion within his government had been “put to rest” after Barnaby Joyce declared he misstepped by referring to himself as the “elected deputy prime minister”.

But Mr Joyce told The Australian he would continue to advocate for new clean coal plants unless Mr Morrison opened the door to embracing nuclear power, arguing his “misstep” was solely confined to the use of inflammatory language around the Nationals leadership.

“I believe the discussion around nuclear has changed, especially with people wanting zero emissions. We should be having another look at that,” Mr Joyce said.

“But if they don’t want nuclear then they are going to have to go back to coal. Nuclear could be the replacement for coal. Until such time as you make an emphatic move in that direction then coal is the only thing you have left.”

In response to NSW Nationals leader John Barilaro, who this week urged Mr Joyce and feuding Nationals MPs to “shut-up” ahead of the March 23 state poll, Mr Joyce said: “I have had a discussion with him and I believe we have sorted that issue out.”

Senator McKenzie yesterday said she expected Energy Minister Angus Taylor to shortlist a range of projects that could receive government backing, including coal power, after the government received 66 submissions under its underwriting scheme.

“We need to be methodical about how we assess those projects but I am confident there will be a range of energy sources, including coal, that will make the successful shortlist,” she told Sky News.

“Our government’s policy position is to underwrite reliable generation where it stacks up.”

Resources Minister Matt Canavan also told The Australian he wanted a new clean coal plant in north Queensland: “Whether or not one can proceed depends on the detail of any proposal. I’m certainly aware of investors willing to back a new coal fired power station in north Queensland.”

Appearing on the ABC’s Q&A program on Monday, Industry Minister and Queensland MP Karen Andrews also backed an upgrade to an existing power station. “I worked as a maintenance engineer at a coal-fired power station. I do understand them. And I think a lot of work should be done to extend the life of existing ones rather than look at a new one,” she said.

Agriculture Minister David Littleproud also backed measures to extend the lives of existing plants. Mr Littleproud last year called on the Queensland government to refurbish the 1400 megawatt Tarong coal-fired power station, arguing it would keep base­load power in the grid and hundreds of workers in jobs.