Coalition backs Hanson motion for new coal-fired power stations

The Coalition has voted with One Nation in the Senate, backing a motion calling on the government “to facilitate the building of new coal-fired power stations and the retrofitting of existing base-load power stations”.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson in the Senate on
Wednesday. Her motion ‘to facilitate the building 
of new coal-fired power stations’ was defeated 34-42.

The Hanson motion was defeated 34-32, but the Coalition backed it in the Senate on Wednesday afternoon – a move reflecting a push within the Turnbull government to ensure that coal is given assistance as the government moves to implement its proposed national energy guarantee.

While proponents are framing ongoing support for coal as the price of internal peace, Labor has warned the government that new subsidies for coal as part of any Coalition settlement on the Neg will scuttle the chances of ending 10 years of partisan warring over climate and energy policy.

Read Katharine Murphy’s story from The Guardian - “Coalition backs Hanson motion for new coal-fired power stations.”