Liberal frontbencher Arthur Sinodinos says the government isn’t attacking the renewables industry, it just wants to get the energy mix at an affordable price which reduces greenhouse gases.

Appearing on ABC TV’s Insiders, he promised the energy security plan the government is putting together will address issues about the way the national electricity market works, the need for greater competition and the need to create more gas exploration.

“The federal government will lead the development of the national plan because frankly we can’t have a situation where states can impose their own policies oblivious to the cost of their own systems but the cost across the country,” Senator Sinodinos told ABC television on Sunday.

Labor frontbencher Ed Husic agreed there needed to be a clear plan for future energy demand through cleaner energy sources and find ways to rely upon more renewable sources.

“We don’t need politicking. We don’t need the type of Neanderthal policies from the government,” Mr Husic told ABC television.

Reacting to news of One Nation’s preference deal with the Western Australia’s Liberals, which would see the right wing party favoured over the their coalition partners, Sinodinos said that Pauline Hanson was a different figure from the one who divided the nation in the Nineties.

“One Nation of today is a very different beast to what it was 20 years ago,” said Sinodinis, who was chief of staff to John Howard in 2001 when the then-prime minister declared his party would always put One Nation last.

“They are a lot more sophisticated, they have clearly resonated with a lot of people.”

– AAP