“Ask Josh”: PM ducks and weaves on carbon backflip
Malcolm Turnbull has left his Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg to answer why he backtracked on a review into climate change policy following concerns from backbench MPs.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at the Sydney Fish Markets today. Photo: AAP/Mick Tsikas
After telling the ABC on Monday an emissions intensity scheme was being looked at as part of the inquiry, the minister on Tuesday denied ever mentioning it and today said one wouldn’t be introduced.
Asked what changed over the 33 hours, the prime minister insisted there was no reference to the scheme in the terms of reference of the government’s review, which was previously announced by the Abbott government.
“The review is business as usual,” he told reporters at the Sydney Fish Markets today.
“We will not be imposing a carbon tax and we will not be imposing an emissions trading scheme, however it is called.”
Repeatedly asked whether Frydenberg made a mistake or was instructed on what to say, Turnbull refused to comment.
“You will have to ask Josh Frydenberg. The government’s policy is very clear.”
Ahead of a trip to Antarctica, Frydenberg told reporters in Hobart he’d spoken to Turnbull and seen his media conference in Sydney.
“Our position has been clear all along,” he insisted.
“We will not be adopting an emissions intensity scheme.”
Frydenberg said the emissions intensity scheme was never in the review’s terms of reference.
But Labor had seized on the two-day turn-around.
“Britney Spears’ first marriage lasted longer than that, and that only lasted two days,” opposition frontbencher Jason Clare told Sky News.
He said the backflip showed how weak Turnbull was, insisting he was still fearful of losing his job over the issue, like he did in 2009.
The prime minister once believed in tackling climate change but was now being “led around like a prize bull at the Easter show” by the right-wing of his party, he said.
Liberal frontbencher Karen Andrews said she was pleased that a carbon tax had been ruled out, insisting the government could not take actions that pushed up energy prices.
She said Australia needed to have a discussion about nuclear power.
“The part of the equation that we have not discussed fully in my view is nuclear power generation.”
The Climate Institute’s CEO John Connor called for a proper national plan, instead of “knee-jerk reactionary responses”.
Connor warned ruling out options increases risks to energy security, prices and jobs.
– AAP
