Industry, environment, community groups demand bipartisan energy policy

A diverse alliance of industry, community and environmental groups is calling for a new bipartisan approach to energy policy.

Industry and business heavyweights to sign on include the Business Council of Australia, the Australian Industry Group, and groups representing major energy users such as the Australian Aluminium Council (AAC), the Australian Steel Institute and the Cement Industry Association.

Other signatories to the joint statement include the Australian Conservation Foundation, the Clean Energy Council, the World Wildlife Fund, the Australian Council of Trade Unions, the Australian Council of Social Service and St Vincent de Paul Society.

The statement demands all political leaders "stop partisan antics and work together to reform Australia's energy systems and markets to deliver the reliable, affordable and clean energy that is critical to wellbeing, employment and prosperity".

AAC executive director Miles Prosser told AM the uncertain policy environment had deterred much needed investment in the electricity supply industry, which had pushed up power prices.

"We have seen policies brought into place and replaced by other policies and replaced by other policies," Mr Prosser said.

"What that means for the investment of the electricity industry is, it's very difficult to make those investments if the ground rules are changing.

"It's really about the continuous availability of that electricity and the reliability of that supply."

Debate over energy security was one issue to dominate in Parliament last week, with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull blaming high renewable energy targets in Labor, states such as South Australia, for problems with electricity supply.

Treasurer Scott Morrison brought a lump of coal into Parliamentary Question Time and accused Labor of "coalophobia".