Barnaby Joyce, a One Nation MP, said Australia should become a superpower of its region despite a struggling energy sector [1, 2].
The comments highlight a growing political divide over how Australia should utilize its natural resources to achieve energy security and economic dominance.
Speaking in an interview broadcast on Sky News Australia, Joyce said that the country is currently struggling despite having abundant resources [1]. He said that the path to regional leadership lies in the continued use of traditional energy sources.
"We believe in coal-fired power because it provides the cheapest form of power," Joyce said [1].
Joyce also targeted the government's approach to environmental policy, specifically the existence of the climate change department. He said that the department has not succeeded in changing the climate and has resulted in significant financial losses for the country [1].
According to Joyce, the climate change department is costing the nation hundreds of billions of dollars [1]. This expenditure, he said, does not align with the results delivered by the agency.
"Australia, with all its resources … we are struggling, we should be a superpower of our region," Joyce said [1].
His critique suggests a preference for resource-led economic growth over the transition to renewable energy frameworks currently managed by federal agencies [1, 2].
“"We believe in coal-fired power because it provides the cheapest form of power."”
Joyce's remarks reflect a persistent ideological conflict within Australian politics regarding the 'energy transition.' By advocating for coal-fired power and dismissing the climate change department, he is positioning One Nation against the global shift toward decarbonization, arguing instead that economic competitiveness is tied to the lowest possible cost of energy production.
