Tony Abbott targets renewables subsidies in latest energy intervention

Tony Abbott has reignited his push to scrap subsidies for renewable energy, taking on the new energy minister, Angus Taylor, at his first meeting of the government’s backbench energy and environment committee on Tuesday.

Tony Abbott asked a number of questions about the
future of subsidies for renewable energy at a
backbench committee meeting.

Sources at Tuesday’s meeting have told Guardian Australia that the former prime minister, who joined the backbench committee as a voting member just before Malcolm Turnbull was deposed as part of efforts to sink the national energy guarantee, asked a number of questions about the future of subsidies for renewable energy, both for rooftop solar and the renewable energy target – but Taylor was not drawn.

During the discussion, the minister made the point that the schemes were in the process of winding down.

Read Katharine Murphy’s story from The Guardian - “Tony Abbott targets renewables subsidies in latest energy intervention.”

(Maybe Mr Abbott could also push for the scrapping of government subsidies for fossil fuels - Robert McLean)

Angus Taylor signals further taxpayer investment in existing coal and gas

The new energy minister, Angus Taylor, says he’s not a sceptic about climate science, just the economics of green schemes, and he’s declared renewables are “in my blood” and have an important role in the energy system.

 'I am not sceptical about climate science': Angus Taylor.

But while overtly backing solar and hydro, but not wind – a technology he’s long opposed – Taylor has also signalled he wants to encourage new investment extending the life of existing coal and gas plants, and upgrading ageing facilities, with an objective of boosting supply.

In his first major speech in his new portfolio, Taylor has recommitted the government to pursuing heavy-handed interventions in the energy market cooked up in the last days of the Turnbull government, including “last resort” divestiture powers to break up power companies if they engage in price gouging.

Read the story from The Guardian by Katharine Murphy - “Angus Taylor signals further taxpayer investment in existing coal and gas.”