2026-09-23
The Coalition’s energy plan would put upward pressure on household energy and transport costs, the Greens said on Wednesday, but Labor is also dancing to the fossil fuel corporations’ tune with their capitulation to fossil fuel-powered data centres in NT and QLD.
The Coalition today proposed scrapping Labor’s already weak climate policies, vehicle efficiency standards and legislated net-zero target, while opening the capacity investment mechanism to coal, gas and nuclear.
Weakening vehicle efficiency standards would make it more expensive for Australians to get into efficient and electric vehicles, while extending Australia’s reliance on petrol cars despite skyrocketing petrol prices during the international fuel crisis.
The Greens say both major parties need to be upfront that it is Australians who will pay the price of keeping fossil fuels in the system for longer: at the bowser, in their electricity bills but also in the rapidly worsening impacts of climate change unfolding across the country.
Acting Greens Leader Senator Mehreen Faruqi said:
“We are at the precipice of a significant historical moment that will determine the future of the country, but neither of the major parties can quit their addiction to expensive, polluting fossil fuels.
“Labor and the Liberals seem determined to repeat the mistakes of the past: let fossil fuel corporations write the rulebook, and force ordinary people to pick up the tab at the bowser and in their electricity bills.
“The big brains at Liberal HQ have resuscitated Peter Dutton’s electorally catastrophic energy plan, while Labor’s capitulation to big coal and gas in Queensland and the Northern Territory shows they don’t have the guts to lead the transition.
"Fracking the Beetaloo or letting Woodside destroy Scott Reef to feed energy-hungry data centres is a complete abdication of Australia’s climate responsibilities.
“The Liberals’ plan to scrap vehicle efficiency standards means Australians will have fewer efficient cars to choose from and will be more exposed to petrol costs. Backing more coal, gas and nuclear means locking in an energy system that leaves households exposed to volatile fossil fuel prices and a nuclear plan which will never see the light of day.
“Australians deserve a safe climate future, but we won’t see that while the Labor government is capitulating to fossil fuels and the Coalition’s energy policy is written to prop up corporate profits.”
Assistant spokesperson for Climate & Energy, Senator Steph Hodgins-May said:
“Big Tech is about to become one of Australia’s biggest new energy users, and the major parties are jumping to use that demand as an excuse to back more coal and gas.
“Australians deserve to know who will pay for all that power, who will pocket the billions in profit, and whether communities will see any benefit or simply be left with the bill.
“If Big Tech needs more power, Big Tech should pay for it. They should be required to fund enough new renewable energy to power their projects and also deliver a net benefit to the communities hosting them.
“Instead, we’re watching the major parties reshape energy policy around the demands of some of the world’s biggest tech companies.
“This stinks of corporate capture. Australians deserve to know which tech giants are in the room, who they’re lobbying and who will pick up the bill with Labor and the Coalition too spineless to make them pay their fair share.”