Barnaby Joyce refuses to use term energy ‘transition’ because it ‘equals unemployment’

Deputy prime minister made comments in coal community of Gladstone in Queensland as Scott Morrison makes $300m NT energy and jobs announcement

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Deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce believes a transition" from coal to cleaner energy equals unemployment" in the regions, declaring the Coalition would not use the term during the election.

The Nationals leader has also backed the government's clean energy fund to support coal, and for other government infrastructure funds to finance the construction of coal-fired power stations, but not for the building of cleaner hydrogen plants.

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