Australians will call ‘bullshit’ on green energy without clearer benefits, Rudd warns

Former prime minister says policies will lose support without continued lower prices, while Malcolm Turnbull points to some progress in US

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Kevin Rudd has described Donald Trump’s cuts to support for green industries as “unfortunate”, warning that Australians would conclude the clean transition was “bullshit” if it did not offer tangible benefits to their lives.

But – in some of his first comments since finishing his term as Australia’s ambassador to the US – the former prime minister said climate policies would have staying power if they delivered affordable prices, a reliable energy supply and new job opportunities.