A mine worker looks at stacks of coal in an open-cast steam coal mine located in the Ordos mining district, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, March 14, 2014. China's top producing coal province of Inner Mongolia, where Ordos is located, is in crisis. Tumb
IN PHOTO: A mine worker looks at stacks of coal in an open-cast steam coal mine located in the Ordos mining district, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, March 14, 2014. REUTERS/Fayen Wong REUTERS/Fayen Wong

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott's stand on coal was challenged by one of the Liberal Party's rising politicians as he disagreed with Mr Abbott's statement that coal is the key to for developing countries to generate low-cost energy. NSW Liberal MP Angus Taylor believes gas is the best way to help reduce carbon emissions. It can also support countries like India and China in the energy they require in their development.

Taylor was elected the member for Hume in the 2013 election and a Rhodes scholar, SMH reported. He told Fairfax Media that the quickest way for the world to reduce carbon emissions while controlling energy prices is to construct natural gas generators instead of coal generators in developing nations.

He said it was a great economic and environmental opportunity for Australia to step in as the supplier of "relatively cheap" natural gas. Taylor insisted that the UN had accepted natural gas as one of the factors that can help reduce carbon emissions.

Australia's impact on helping the world reduce carbon emissions using natural gas can make any domestic effort appear small, Taylor said. His comments came after BG Gas, a British gas company, has successfully shipped liquefied gas from coal at the company's Queensland Curtis LNG project. According to reports, the gas shipment will be known as the first in the history of Queensland.

Taylor's statements has placed him at odds with Mr Abbott who has repeatedly said that coal is "good for humanity" and the foundation of prosperity until the foreseeable future because it is a cheaper source of energy.

In the recent G20 meeting, Mr Abbott had said Australia and other energy exporters will have to provide power to the fifth of the world that do not have access to electricity. The prime minister believes coal would be an important part of society for "decades."

Meanwhile, economist Frank Jotzo said Australia is rich in both coal and gas, so the country has a great potential in renewable energy sources. He said natural gas was an alternative for developing countries but not the only option.

Contact email: r.su@ibtimes.com.au