Angus Taylor pledges to repeal swathe of climate policies, saying ‘Australia has done its bit’

Several measures were previously introduced or supported by Coalition, prompting claim Liberals and Nationals would ‘let climate change rip’

Angus Taylor has vowed to repeal a raft of emissions reduction and renewable energy policies, including several measures supported by or introduced under past Coalition governments, within a month of being elected prime minister, prompting accusations he would “let climate change rip”.

On Wednesday, Taylor’s energy spokesperson, Dan Tehan, announced a new bill would be introduced to parliament within 30 days after a Coalition win at the next federal election to ensure affordable, reliable and secure energy to Australians.

The bill, which contains a package of eight previously announced opposition policies, would remove safeguard mechanism and nuclear prohibitions, both introduced by previous Coalition governments.

Revoke four of six offshore wind energy zones due for completion by the late 2030s: the Hunter, Illawarra, Southern Ocean and Bunbury regions.

Require energy funding provided to states and territories prioritises energy affordability and reliability.

Change the Australian Energy Regulator’s main focus to affordability and reliability.

“Australia has done its bit,” Taylor said at a press conference when asked why it wanted to reverse laws driving down emissions.

“What we will continue to see is technologies emerging with lower emissions that Australians want to choose. That is fine, and that is great.”

The energy minister, Chris Bowen , said the plan would take a “chainsaw to the economy and household budgets” and “make Australia poorer, weaker and less secure from global shocks”.

“They want to take choice away from Australians – remove your ability to take control of your energy bills with a cheaper home battery, and pick a cheaper to run car,” he said.

Bowen said the Coalition’s plan to “stop renewables and household batteries” and extend the life of existing coal power stations would mean households would be “left to pick up the bill of global shocks”.

The energy policy reversal was similarly criticised by Kooyong MP, Monique Ryan, and acting Greens leader, Mehreen Faruqi, for taking the country backwards.

“The Coalition’s plan is dumb, dangerous, and desperate climate denial which would make energy more expensive and unreliable,” Dr Ryan said.