Alan Finkel defends clean energy target as Coalition turns its back

Chief scientist once again endorses proposed mechanism as fastest, most flexible way to transform market

The chief scientist says changes the Turnbull government is contemplating to the national electricity market would take five years to take effect, whereas his proposal for a clean energy target would achieve transformation more quickly, with "enormous flexibility" for the market.

Alan Finkel's last ditch attempt to defend his mechanism followed another public signal by the energy minister, Josh Frydenberg, on Monday that the government will not proceed with the clean energy target modelled in Finkel's review of the national electricity market earlier this year.