Sussan Ley says coal-fired power plants ‘highly unlikely’ after net zero debate; former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina sentenced to death; miners, farmers plead for Labor, Coalition environment laws deal

In Opposition Leader Sussan Ley’s final interview of her marathon Monday media blitz to promote the Coalition’s energy policies, she conceded to ABC’s 7.30 that coal-fired power plants were “high unlikely” to stack up economically.

“The point is that it has to stack up,” Ley said when pushed on whether new coal-fired plants could be subsidised under a “technology agnostic” plan.

“There’s nothing on the table that looks remotely like it will at this point in time.”

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Later in the interview, she again appeared to rule out any plans for new coal, instead emphasising the need to release more gas into the domestic market.

“We won’t be building coal-fired power stations, and there are no proposals for new coal, recognising that existing coal assets are being kept open for longer.”

Moderates on the Sunday dial-in meeting to finalise the Coalition policy objected to allowing the possibility of funding coal plants in the future but were overruled.

The policy released on Sunday said the Coalition supported “both new and existing generation (including gas, hydro, batteries, coal and renewables in the right place) with modest, targeted underwriting to keep prices down and ensure investment happens when and where it is needed.”

In an interview on ABC’s Afternoon Briefing, deputy leader of the Nationals Kevin Hogan twice backed the possibility of underwriting new coal plants, saying “there are lots of coal-fired power stations being built in the world right now that are high-energy, low-emission. There will be guidelines”.

Asked by 7.30’s Sarah Ferguson if she could guarantee she would still be the opposition leader at the next election, Ley said “absolutely”.

“I am the leader and was elected six months ago.”