George Christensen asks Japan for coal-fired power plant in Australia

From The Australian by RACHEL BAXENDALE

REPORTER

@rachelbaxendale

Maverick Nationals MP George Christensen has been sent on a mining industry-funded mission to Japan to ask its government to build new coal-fired power stations in Australia.

Resources Minister Matt Canavan has tasked his fellow Queenslander with hand-delivering letters to major Japanese companies and government leaders.

“We’re asking the world leaders in clean coal technology in Japan to consider investing here,” Mr Christensen said in a statement.

The trip comes after The Australian today revealed that Mr Christensen is among five government backbenchers who have criticised the Australian Energy Market Operator for having an “ideological worldview” that favours renewables.

Mr Christensen, Tony Pasin, John Williams, Ken O’Dowd and Craig Kelly have all criticised the key bureaucrat and expressed concerns about AEMO’s direction under the leadership of chief executive Audrey Zibelman, in the latest indication of the obstacles Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg faces in securing support from the Coalition partyroom for his national energy guarantee.

Victorian Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio has meanwhile sent a firm message to the Turnbull government this morning, saying she is reluctant to sign up to the NEG at next week’s crucial Energy Council meeting because of opposition to the policy on the Coalition backbench led by figures such as Tony Abbott.

Mr Christensen’s trip is the latest push from the Nationals for coal after the consumer watchdog’s report into the energy market.

The Nationals claim the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission report makes the case for the federal government to make an investment in “clean” coal.

Senator Canavan’s letter says world demand for coal is growing, especially in Asia which is supplied by Australia.

“The demand is coming from new coal-fired power plants that require high-quality coal and that’s what we specialise in,” the letter says.

He says Japan is a pioneer of high efficiency, low emission coal technology.

“I would welcome you to examine any opportunities to potentially invest in new technology in Australia to address this shortfall issue,” the minister’s letter says.

The Minerals Council of Australia-linked Coal21 Fund is picking up the tab for Mr Christensen’s trip.

He will deliver letters to the heads of Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation and the director of the coal division of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.