It's day seven since the LNP declared it was looking for a "future beyond coal". Meanwhile, tensions over coal within the Coalition in Canberra are rising. The Conservative Party is keeping up the pressure because abandoning coal means higher electricity prices, unreliable electricity and Queensland jobs moving off shore. Here's our latest media release.

Conservative Party calls on Coalition not to abandon coal

The Conservative Party has called on the Coalition not to abandon Queensland coal amid an internal war on the resource’s future as a source of energy in Australia.

“An energy policy which allows our coal to produce affordable electricity overseas but not here is not smart,” spokesman Lyle Shelton said.

“An energy policy which forces industry to ration its electricity usage so the lights can be kept on is a third world approach and will only drive jobs overseas.

“The Conservative Party will fight all the way to the next election for Queensland coal to be allowed to compete on an equal basis with renewables.

“If the playing field is levelled, there is no reason why Australians should not also enjoy the affordable, reliable electricity that is being produced with our coal in Asia.

“If it can be done there, it can be done here.

“It is now seven days since the Queensland LNP leader Deb Frecklington won plaudits from the green-left GetUp! for declaring the party was looking to a ‘future beyond coal’.

“In that time she has been repudiated by her colleagues from the Queensland coal fields, creating further uncertainty about the party’s policy on affordable electricity.

“The LNP needs to clarify where it stands on affordable, reliable energy and jobs.”

Media contact: Lyle Shelton [email protected]