Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Hansard source

Our policies are all about delivering more affordable, more reliable energy supplies in a way that helps us meet our emissions reduction targets. We on this side of the chamber understand that it's very important to have a responsible and environmentally sustainable energy mix, including of course a very strong commitment to renewables. We are leading the world when it comes to the investment in renewables. But we also understand the need to ensure that we have got affordable and reliable supplies based on coal and gas. Coal is and remains important to our energy security and our energy affordability. Not only does it provide cheap power; it also provides tens of thousands of jobs across regional communities. And, of course, exporting Australian coal helps us to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions, which is why Labor should be supporting it.