Economics
Australia's Joyce Sees Merit in Government Taking Stakes in Coal
- Lenders need greater political certainty on coal, Joyce says
- World powers move on climate change talks without U.S. support
This article is for subscribers only.
Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce indicated he supports the government being an equity partner in any new coal-fired power station, and said that lenders are willing to finance fossil fuel-based electricity generation.
“I have got nothing against taking equity in it,” Joyce told Sky News’ Sunday Agenda program, adding that an equity stake would be preferable to lending money to enable such a facility to be built. “Why? Because an equity position on a reasonable asset is an asset for the Australian balance sheet.”