Monash agitators go silent on energy

The pro-coal Monash Forum has retreated from the energy debate as Scott Morrison pushes renewable energy.

Liberal Member for Hughes Craig Kelly said there had been no formal meeting between the group of MPs this year. Picture: AAP

The pro-coal Monash Forum — which includes key Malcolm Turnbull detractors Tony Abbott and Kevin Andrews — has re­treated from the energy debate as Scott Morrison pushes renewable ­energy and champions the Snowy 2.0 pumped-hydro scheme.

Liberal MP Craig Kelly, who announced the creation of the ­ginger group in The Australian last year, said there had been no formal meeting this year. “That doesn’t mean we haven’t discussed things like we always do,” he said.

Mr Abbott, who was on a ­crusade for a government-funded coal-fired power station when Mr Turnbull was prime minister, has barely raised the issue of coal since the change of leadership.

Mr Kelly, meanwhile, has ­reversed his opposition to the Snowy 2.0 scheme despite a business case not being released on the project, the crux of his concerns about the project last year.

The member for Hughes said he no longer needed to see the business case because he trusted the “business acumen” of Energy Minister Angus Taylor. “I have confidence in Angus Taylor to look at it and make the correct decision,” he said.

Mr Kelly denied Mr Morrison’s pro-renewables speech in Melbourne last week was reminiscent of Mr Turnbull. “It wasn’t in the vein of what we have heard from Malcolm. Scott has been very strong on the importance of coal to the economy,” he said.

Mr Kelly said he hoped the federal government would underwrite a new coal-fired power station, despite Mr Taylor saying he was taking a technology neutral approach to the tender process that is under way on government backing of power projects.

His comments came as it emerged a majority of Australians who support action on climate change are happy with the current emissions reduction target and do not want it raised.

YouGov-Galaxy polling published jointly yesterday by the Menzies and Page research centres canvassed more than 1000 voters about the Paris Agreement and various emissions reduction targets. It found that 62 per cent of voters did not want to exceed the level of emissions reduction ­required to meet Australia’s 2030 target. Just 26 per cent of voters surveyed supported reducing emissions by more than the amount required under the Paris Agreement.