The Beltana number 1 mine, an open cast or drift coal mine managed by Xstrata coal in the Hunter Valley, New South WalesAs the climate debate escalates in Canberra, a leading foreign investor in Australian renewable energy has called for politicians to stick to the plan. Business leaders from India have flown into Sydney for talks with the energy minister on the sidelines of the nation's clean energy summit.
"I can think of none more important than our renewable energy partnership with India. I regard it as being in the top rank of our bilateral relations when it comes to renewable energy and renewable energy-related manufacturing. Hence, it's received a lot of attention from me and the government over the last two years, and I think that's quite right, and that can only be enhanced by this dialogue. I'm a long-term supporter of the Australia-India dialogue.
"Australia is one of the pioneers of renewable energy. We have so much to collaborate whether it is in terms of technology, in terms of the storage that the technology is going into. There are various ways we can collaborate. I think this is the right time looking at the energy transition phase India and Australia are in. An opportune time for the dialogue to see what we can do in Australia and what Australia can do in India.
In response, Opposition Energy spokesman Ted O'Brien argues investment under the Government has already stalled.