The federal government did not seek climate change policy advice from its independent agency before dumping the National Energy Guarantee, a Senate estimates hearing has heard.
It was a case of "no senator" when chair of the Climate Change Authority Wendy Craik fronted a Senate committee in Canberra on Monday.
When asked if the government had consulted the authority before dumping the National Energy Guarantee, Dr Craik responded with a quick "no senator" to NSW Labor senator Kristina Keneally.
Dr Craik responded with the same answer when asked if the authority had provided advice on how abandoning the energy plan would hurt efforts to mitigate climate change.
It was another "no senator" when Senator Keneally asked if the authority provided advice on not extending the Renewable Energy Target after it lapses in 2020.
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Dr Craik confirmed to the Senate hearing that the body stands to be abolished before the next federal election.
She said the deadline could affect the agency's current work, which includes a review of the national greenhouse reporting system due by the end of the year.
The Climate Change Authority will also initiate a stocktake of the climate change mitigation strategies undertaken internationally, by the states and within industry.
