Scott Morrison has stared down calls for Australia to abandon international emissions commitments, arguing engaging in climate wars won't cut power prices.
The prime minister is holding firm against conservatives who are urging him to pull out of the Paris climate change target to reduce carbon emissions.
"Engaging in the climate wars may tickle the ears of the ideologues, but it frankly it makes no difference to what's going to happen with electricity prices," Mr Morrison told Sky News on Monday night.
He said Australia's strategic relationships with Pacific neighbours were too important to risk for a move which wouldn't help power bills at home.
"Our strategic security partners - this is their number one issue," the prime minister said.
"I'm not going to compromise Australia's national security by walking away from a commitment that was made a number of years ago."
Mr Morrison again said Australia was on track to meet its Paris carbon emission reduction commitment "at a canter".
But he warned Labor's 45 per cent emissions reduction target would be a disaster for power prices, compared to the 26 per cent Paris target.
"Twenty-six is a low alcohol beer, 45 per cent is a full schooner of single malt when it comes to its impact on electricity prices."
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