South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill and federal Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg have traded insults standing side-by-side at an extraordinary press conference.
Mr Frydenberg initially noted the importance of state and federal governments working together at the Adelaide event and spruiked his government's announcement on Thursday of a $2 million expansion of the Snowy Hydro scheme.
But the gloves came off when Mr Weatherill, just days after announcing the SA government's energy plan, chided Mr Frydenberg for his treatment of the state.
"I have to say it is a little galling to be standing here next to a man who has been standing up with his prime minister bagging South Australia at every step of the way over the last six months," he told reporters.
"It is a disgrace the way in which your government has treated our state."
Mr Weatherill said SA can't wait for the Snowy Hydro expansion years down the track and its energy plan will make it "self-sufficient".
The pair, who have traded barbs in the media this week, admitted neither knew the other would be attending the AGL event to mark the launch of a 1000-strong network of solar batteries on Adelaide homes.
The "virtual power plant" aims to help more people use solar power technology without putting strain on the electricity grid through peaks - a challenge inherent in the technology, due to varying sun levels at different times of the day.
The federal government is backing the $20 million project through $5 million in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.
Mr Frydenberg said it reflected "very poorly" on Mr Weatherill that he had chosen the launch, for something SA had not funded, for his verbal attacks.
"I feel that the premier trying to come into this to crash tackle us at this announcement where he hasn't put any money into this important initiative, which the commonwealth and AGL have, just shows you, unfortunately, how desperate he is," he said.
He said SA's energy plan was a "$550 million admission of faulure" by the premier and, without making eye contact with him, offered him some advice.
"I would say to you, it is in the best interests of your government to work with the other states at the COAG energy council table," he said.
"To await the outcomes of the Finkel review, to commend the commonwealth for yesterday's announcement with the LNG providers that they will provide the gas to meet the shortfalls in the coming years."
The duo left the event without exchanging goodbyes, with Mr Frydenberg making one final quip relating to SA Energy Minister Tom Koutsantonis.
"Maybe Tom will be the next premier of South Australia because I think after Jay Weatherill's conduct today, the public would think that is pretty unbecoming, pretty childish and pretty unacceptable for a senior political figure of their state to behave," he said.
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