The Opposition leader has sensationally accused the government of “wrecking” the economy by pursuing what he describes as a “renewables-only” energy policy.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton says there is “no prospect” the government will reach its 2030 emissions target.
This comes amid the Coalition announcing there will be no new 2030 climate targets revealed until the next election.
“They introduced a bill which is now a law to increase the price of cars by about $10,000 to help them achieve the 43 per cent target – they’re still not going to get there anyway,” Mr Dutton told Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell.
“The 43 per cent target has contributed significantly to an increase in power prices.
“I think the question is what’s in our country’s best interest?
“I know the prime minister loves to hang out with all the world leaders and get a slap on the back and the rest of it, but his job is actually to make it easier not harder for families and small businesses.”
Speaking on Sunday Agenda, Mr Dutton reaffirmed his commitment to the Paris climate agreement and reaching net zero emissions by 2050, but cast doubt over Australia’s 2030 target.
Labor’s legislated aim of reducing emissions by 43 per cent on 2005 levels by 2030 has come under fire from the Coalition in recent days, with many describing the target as unrealistic.
Peter Dutton discussed a variety of issues on Sky News Australia on Sunday. Picture: Sky News Australia
“There is no prospect it seems of the government reaching the target,” Mr Dutton told Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell.
He said the target itself has contributed to an astronomical rise in power prices, with those effects being felt across households and small businesses.
“We have to make sure we have got a realistic system and energy is the economy,” he said.
“It is not just your household power bill that is going through the roof, it’s the local butcher and the local IGA … the local farmer, anyone who has got cold storage. That is why under Labor you’re paying so much more for your groceries when you go the supermarket.
“We have to get a system that is working right for us and the Prime Minister is about to sign up to a 2035 target, essentially a decade away, and that is going to be between 65 to 75 per cent. We don’t even see any economic modelling yet. What will that mean for extra increases in power prices?
The Clean Energy Investor Group believes the federal government will fail to meet its target of 82 per cent renewables by 2030.
The Group says the failed effort is due to a slower-than-expected rollout of major renewable energy and electricity transmission upgrades.
They say the country’s coal power stations may need to stay online longer to ensure energy needs are met.
“A renewables-only approach that the government has adopted is going to continue to drive up power prices.”
When asked if he would seek to change legislation around the 2030 target should the Coalition win the next election, Mr Dutton said he would act in the nation’s “best interest”.
“We have got international obligations; we don’t propose to leave the Paris agreement at all. And we are fully signed up to net zero by 2050,” he reiterated.
“But if you think it is a linear progression, they will cripple the economy.
“At the moment, Labor is slowly grinding the economy to a halt. There was 0.1 per cent growth in the last quarter.”
The Opposition leader pointed to cost pressures being felt by families and businesses, the potential for a recession and the impacts of consecutive interest rate increases.
“Over three budgets they (Labor) have made decisions which have made it much tougher for families, small businesses are closing at record numbers,” he said.
“And I think this is a government that through its energy policy, the renewables-only policy, not taking into account gas and nuclear and making sure we can have a balance, they really are wrecking the economy at the moment.”
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Debate has intensified in recent weeks over whether Australia can reach its 2030 target. Picture: Getty
When pressed again for a more detailed response, Mr Dutton said he would take advice from the relevant government agencies regarding any potential change to the 2030 target should the Opposition be successful at the next election.
“I think we would have a look at all that information and if there are settings that we need to change, then we would change them if it means helping families with the cost of living crisis that Labor has created,” he said.
“But it doesn’t mean exiting Paris and it doesn’t mean walking away from our very clear commitment to net zero by 2050.”
The government is currently aiming to get to an 82 per cent renewables share of electricity national by 2030, according to the Clean Energy Regulator.
This involves increasing reliance and investment in wind, solar, hydropower and energy storage and transmission projects.