In his first major public media appearance since being dropped from the Prime Ministers role and leader of the Liberal Party, Mr Turnbull told the ABC TV’s Q&A program he loved “nothing more than technology” and would “go back to creating jobs” in the private sector, saying he was open to investing in new renewable energy projects.
In an interesting interview the former Prime Minister was asked in a long winded question by Fair Dinkum Power brand and movement founder and tech billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes:
“Our current Prime Minister who once famously waved a lump of coal at the Opposition in Parliament, has defined fair dinkum power as energy that turns on when the sun isn’t shining and the wind isn’t blowing. Thousands of Aussies, including me, are joining together to redefine fair dinkum power to mean renewable energy that is clean, cheap and reliable. Our nation is blessed with renewable resources. There is more sun, wind and hydro than coal, gas and oil resources combined. Our vision is that Australia can get to 100% renewables and beyond. And that this transition to renewable energy is not only good for the planet, it presents one of the greatest economic opportunities for our country in terms of job creation and economic growth over the next 10 to 20 years. So my question to you is: what’s your advice to get politicians on board with our vision, and will you join us?”
Turnbull, the former investment banker went on to respond “We all know where our energy future lies. It lies with renewable energy, backed up with storage, you know, whether it is batteries or pumped hydro, which has been one of my great passions”
“We’re heading to a lower-cost, zero-emission energy future.”
A somewhat surprising response for someone who whilst in leadership of the country used the South Australian black-out to cast doubt on renewables. As well as calling federal and state renewable targets from the Labor Party “reckless”.
It appears he has changed his stance “If Mike is inviting me to invest in a renewable energy project, then I would look at it on its merits,” he told Q&A host Tony Jones.
“I’m out of politics, and I will return to the business world, and I love nothing more than technology, I love new projects, I like new technology, and I love creating jobs. “I will now go back to creating jobs at the more hands-on level, in terms of business investment.”
It doesn’t take a genius to work out renewables are the way of the future, but it is interesting to see Mr Turnbull a past critic change his stance.
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