Coalition supporters back quicker shift to renewable energy

The wisdom of a campaign by the Turnbull government emphasising the risks of moving too rapidly to renewable energy has been thrown into question by polling that suggests a majority of its supporters don't agree.

Left-leaning think-tank the Australia Institute surveyed 1420 voters on whether the country was moving too slowly or too quickly in embracing renewable sources wind and solar.

It found two-thirds of voters – and 55 per cent of those who identified as Coalition voters - believed the shift was too slow. Only 9 per cent – and 17 per cent of Coalition supporters – said it was happening too fast.

Forty-five per cent believed electricity prices would go up if the national renewable energy target of about 23.5 per cent by 2020 was abolished. Only 19 per cent thought bills would go down.

Read Adam Morton’s story in today’s Melbourne Age - “Coalition supporters back quicker shift to renewable energy.”