Energy Minister Chris Bowen has clashed with a journalist over the clean energy transition, telling him to show “a bit more respect”.
Mr Bowen fronted the media on Wednesday to provide an update on the fuel crisis, saying three per cent of service stations across the country remain without diesel.
However, it was questions about the clean energy transition that led to tense scenes between the Energy Minister and a member of the press.
After an earlier interjection, 7News Spotlight reporter Liam Bartlett asked Mr Bowen: “If this war in Iran has showed nothing else, hasn’t it proved, once and for all, that your obsession with renewables will only lead us down the track to another energy crisis?”
Mr Bowen shot back: “That’s a pretty loaded – that’s a comment, not a question”.
“No, it’s a question,” Mr Bartlett replied.
Energy Minister Chris Bowen has clashed with a journalist over the clean energy transition. Picture: NewsWire / Gaye Gerard
The disagreement between the pair escalated, with Mr Bowen stating: “Sorry, are you asking a question or having a debate?”
“I’d rather an answer,” the reporter replied.
Mr Bowen replied: “Renewable energy is secure.
“The Australian sun cannot be interrupted by a war or anything else.
“Solar energy has to travel 150,000,000km from the sun. It doesn’t have to travel the 150km of the Strait of Hormuz.”
Mr Bowen, accused of “playing catch-up”, called on the reporter to “be fair to your colleagues”, and attempted to move on to other questions in the room.
Accused of rejecting approaches from a media organisation, he said “I’ve held a press conference every day”.
“This is the first press conference you’ve been to ask me a question,” he said.
He continued: “I think you need to show a bit more respect to your colleagues.
“This is a room full of journalists. Everyone here gets a questions.”
Escalating still, he continued: “You’ve come to a press conference. Congratulations. Other journalists have been at every press conference,” he said.
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