Do Sen Joyce’s troglodyte views on solar influence Coalition energy policy?

“Me Barnaby – Me like fire and coal. Grunt Grunt”

As the country is dragged reluctantly — like a kid from a lolly shop — into election mode following the Prime Minister’s Jan. 30 early announcement, it is instructive to see where the mainstream media turned much of its attention. To which party is best suited to handle the economy? The environment? Climate change? Energy policy? No. Much of the media’s focus has been on the significance of the PM’s new glasses.

Will the new glasses signify a new 20/20 “vision splendid” for the nation’s energy policy? A policy of engaging with renewables (particularly solar power)? Or do they signify a myopic energy policy dedicated to continuing support of fossil fuel subsidies?

Enough of the Specs ‘R Us questions though. The eight month campaign (good grief!) will reveal all if we can stay awake long enough. We’ll have more on the expected policy from the government next week. However this week the SQ HQ team would like to focus on the renewable energy messages coming from the other side of the Treasury benches.

Policy is always a bit thin on the ground over in the Coalition changing sheds with a preference for primeval chest-thumping, populist, over-the-top rants. These are usually delivered in lieu of policy thinking at the top of the selected minister’s voice without a shred of evidence (ha!) to back up their argument.

This week proved no exception with particular reference to solar energy.

One of the best and most entertaining at this form of political discourse is the Nationals Barnaby “Golden Tonsils” Joyce, whose most recent outburst to the Senate included a spray about renewable energy.

“What is this insane lemming-like desire to go to renewables going to do to our economy?”

thundered Sen. Joyce to the Senate chamber before changing colour (Incredible Hulk style) and yelling incoherently about the threat of renewables over his beloved fossil fuel industries.

Now our democracy is built on differing opinions and of course Sen. Joyce has a perfect right to exercise his anti-renewables view. However as Giles Parkinson points out in a 7th Feb. RenewEconomy article the concern is that Sen. Joyce is not some backbencher postulating on behalf of his electorate but an important part of the Coalition’s decision making team.

Indeed the good senator briefly served in the crucial opposition finance portfolio before being forced to relinquish the post by jittery senior colleagues. He now occupies (if that’s the right word) the influential shadow ministry for Regional Development, Local Government and Water as well as being the Leader of the Nationals in the Senate.

His views matter and could well affect the whole country. The real questions then are: “How much does Sen. Joyce’s views on renewables resonate within the Coalition” and “To what extent will they form Coalition policy should they win government in September”.

Scary eh? The answers to this and more on the Coalition’s alternative energy policy may be revealed during the marathon campaign. More reasoned voices such as those of Malcolm Turnbull may prevail. Or, if the policy does end up being as frightening as one of Sen. Joyce’s rants, perhaps they won’t release it, preferring to dump it on the electorate post election.

As I said scary.