The opposition Labor Party has walked away from talks with the government about generating 20% of the country’s power from renewable energy.

Labor environment spokesman Mark Butler said Labor rejected the government’s plan to dramatically cut the target.

The collapse in talks comes ahead of the arrival of world leaders in Brisbane for the G20 summit.

Climate change is among the issues to be discussed at the summit.
Butler said the government’s plan would destroy thousands of jobs and billions of dollars worth of investment. He said it would also increase domestic electricity prices.

Environment Minister Greg Hunt said on Wednesday that he was surprised Labor had abandoned the talks.