Labor, Greens oppose government coal subsidy proposal

A federal government proposal to pay for coal-fired power stations with public money from a clean energy fund has sparked further debate over the future of Australia's electricity supply. Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg announced the government may instruct the Clean Energy Finance Corporation to invest in so-called 'clean coal' power plants. The government signalled it will also try to change the rules governing the fund so it can invest in carbon capture and storage -- a controversial technology that can lower the CO-2 emissions of coal power stations by pumping the gas back into the ground.

Minister for Environment Josh Frydenberg during Question Time in the House of Representatives Source: AAP