Liberal MP says people will die of cold because renewable energy drives up fuel prices

Labor criticises 'appalling intervention' by Craig Kelly, who is chair of backbench energy committee

Renewable energy will kill people this winter, Craig Kelly, the chair of the Coalition's backbench environment and energy committee has claimed.

Kelly, a Liberal backbencher, said the deaths would be caused by people not being able to afford to heat their homes in winter. He blamed rising fuel costs on the government's renewable energy target.