MPs call on Turnbull to amend laws to force AGL to sell Liddell

Pro-coal Liberals have called on Malcolm Turnbull to amend laws to force AGL to sell Liddell power station to Alinta in a partyroom meeting.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott and former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce. Picture: AAP

Pro-coal MPs in the Coalition partyroom have called on Malcolm Turnbull to amend competition laws to force AGL to sell Liddell power station to Alinta.

Craig Kelly, backed by Tony Abbott, called for the competition watchdog to be given new powers that would make it “crystal clear” that closing down a essential service utility when there were “other options”, such as selling to another player, was anti-competitive behaviour.

Mr Abbott endorsed the proposal, saying Liddell was an essential services and “we can’t stand by and watch” while it closed down.

The Prime Minister referred the question to Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg who said the government would be in a better position to comment after the ACCC completed its inquiry into the electricity market in June.

Barnaby Joyce also addressed the partyroom, saying the government could not allow AGL to “keep jerking us around”.

Backbencher Luke Howath also spoke, asking about the impact on electricity of AGL’s decision to refuse to sell to Alinta.

The partyroom meeting was a long one, with many MPs also raising the issue of live exports.