By David Davies

June 19, 2017 - The Federal Government could build and operate a new coal-fired power station in north Queensland, Australia.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said the idea would not be ruled out as concerns about reliable, affordable power continued to dominate households across Australia.

Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg has refused to reveal when the Government would announce its energy policy.

Chief Scientist Alan Finkel's Independent Review into the Future Security of the National Electricity Market earlier this month reignited climate change wars within the Coalition.

"I don't want to put a deadline on it but Finkel himself is envisaging his model coming in potentially for 2019-2020, which is still some time away,” Mr. Frydenberg said.

Mr. Joyce questioned why Labor and the Greens would refuse to accept coal as a future energy source if its emissions could be reduced dramatically.

Asked if the Government would consider funding a new generator in north Queensland, Mr. Joyce said: "We wouldn't rule discussions around that out. What we have to do is make sure that our purpose is religious, that is that we want affordable power.”