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PRIME Minister Malcolm Turnbull has rejected calls from his predecessor Tony Abbott to intervene and take over the Hazelwood power station before it closes.
Mr Turnbull told 3AW this morning that the government would not step in to keep Hazelwood running, saying the decision to close it was a matter for French energy giant Engie.
The Prime Minister said the Australian Energy Market Operator had assured him that the closure of Hazelwood would not increase the risk of blackouts in Victoria.
Mr Abbott has urged Malcolm Turnbull bail out Hazelwood and keep it running until alternate sources of base load power can be secured.
The former PM dramatically intervened in Australia’s looming energy crisis, claiming millions of taxpayer dollars should keep the coal-fired power station — due to close its doors next week — alive until the until “Snowy 2.0” comes online."
