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Energy minister claims mandate on climate change policies

Energy Minister Angus Taylor is staring down industry and environmental group criticism of the federal coalition’s climate change policies.

May 28, 2019, updated May 28, 2019
Angus Taylor says Labor should support the government's plans to cut carbon emissions. Photo: AAP/Mick Tsikas

Angus Taylor says Labor should support the government's plans to cut carbon emissions. Photo: AAP/Mick Tsikas

Taylor has rejected their calls to cut a deal with Labor on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and ruled out reviving the National Energy Guarantee.

“We’re firmly committed to the policies we took to the election,” he told the Sydney Morning Herald on Tuesday.

We now have a clear mandate to implement those policies and we’ll be doing so.

“Labor should adopt our plan, which was supported by the Australian people, and I know industry wants to see bipartisanship.”

Industry groups, including the Business Council of Australia, backed the National Energy Guarantee when it was put forward last year, before the coalition scrapped the policy months later.

Labor promised to revive the plan if it won the federal election.

Taylor said the government would not consider using the National Energy Guarantee to reduce emissions.

“We don’t need to.”

He said another feature of the policy – a reliability obligation on electricity generators – would come into effect in July.

“Now is the opportunity for Labor to accept the policy we took to the election and create a bipartisan approach to these issues,” he said.

-AAP

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