Tony Abbott slapped down as Malcolm Turnbull opts for 'minimalist' reshuffle

PM "slaps down" Tony Abbott (pictured) over calls
to ditch Australia's renewable energy target.

The Turnbull government has slapped down Tony Abbott's call for it to ditch its renewable energy target for 2020, declaring there are "no plans" to change the policy that was settled when Mr Abbott was prime minister.

Environment and Energy Minister, Josh Frydenberg, told Fairfax Media the government's intention was to stick with its policy and contrast it with Labor's commitment to a more ambitious target for 2030 that would be a "reckless hit on family and business electricity bills".

In a direct repudiation of Mr Abbott's assertion that the existing policy would increase prices, reduce reliability and threaten heavy industries, Mr Frydenberg said: "The government has no plans to change the 2020 RET which was settled just 18 months ago providing investor certainty."

Mr Abbott delivered a scathing critique of the government on Saturday, just as Mr Turnbull began discussions with senior colleagues on who would fill the key health portfolio after Sussan Ley's forced resignation over her travel claims.

Read Michael Gordon’s story in today’s Melbourne Age - “Tony Abbott slapped down as Malcolm Turnbull opts for 'minimalist' reshuffle.”