Hanson responds to polling surge, calls climate change ‘BS’

Nationals leader David Littleproud says the government can bring down energy prices with changes to the capacity investment scheme and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO).

Littleproud told ABC Radio National that the capacity investment scheme should be expanded to include “all technologies that provide energy into our grid”, rather than incentivising investment in renewables.

“What that would do is get that latent supply into the grid and keep it in the grid for longer. That means supply – the good old demand and supply principles – adhere to that, having a downward pressure on prices.”

Littleproud said it was mandated that the AEMO must source energy on the premise of reaching the 2035 emissions target.

“If you took that away and mandated them to source the most affordable energy, then immediately you start to bring back the supply again, in putting that downward pressure.”

Asked to comment on rumours of a leadership challenge against Sussan Ley, he said: “I haven’t engrossed myself in those sorts of discussions, it’s not appropriate for the Nationals leader.”