Australia's leaders 'wilfully blind' about climate change, says former NAB chief

Cameron Clyne says he doesn't think anyone has 'grasped quite how revolutionary' the emergence of renewable energy will be

Australia's political leaders are "wilfully blind" to the challenge of climate change, with the country at risk from an "economically reckless" reliance upon fossil fuels, the former head of the National Australia Bank has warned.

Cameron Clyne, who was chief executive of NAB from 2009 until he stood down last year, said he doesn't "think any of us have grasped quite how revolutionary" the emergence of renewable energy will be, warning that Australia cannot continue to be wedded to carbon-heavy fuels such as coal.