New figures show China imported 42 per cent less coal in the first quarter of 2015 compared with the same period last year, with analysts saying it's a signal demand for Australian coal will continue to fall.

"We need to leave it in the ground, simple as that," said Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne.

"Tony Abbott has got to stop propping up this polluting industry that is falling down around his ears.

Greens Leader Christine Milne says it's no surprise that Australian officials have been instructed to try to protect fossil fuel subsidies at the OECD.

"The Abbott government is a wholly owned subsidiary of the coal industry. There's no other way of looking at it," said Senator Milne.

"Anyone who was unsure if the government's attack on the Renewable Energy Target was anything other than attempt to prop up coal would now be in no doubt.

The Greens are warning Victoria will suffer devastating job losses and hits to the local economy if a plan to phase out the dirtiest power stations isn't put in place before they fail.

"The closure of old Victorian power stations is inevitable," said Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne.

"With huge excess power supply and last century technology, they will become junk assets within the next five years, unable to compete with cheap, cleaner energy.

Greens Leader Christine Milne says the reaction to trade barriers imposed by China on coal imports highlights the risks attached to the Abbott government's determination to protect old industry and big business profits.

"It's clear the main reason the Abbott government wants a Chinese free trade deal is to underpin coal mining expansion in the Bowen and Galilee Basins and expanded export volumes into the long term. Protecting the profits of the vested interests of the big end of town is his specialty," Senator Milne said.

At Parliament House this morning Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne stood with students studying for clean energy jobs, urging the other parties not to help Tony Abbott degrade the Renewable Energy Target.

"The Renewable Energy Target must not be tampered with. The only compromise should be getting the Abbott government to move with the times and start shutting down fossil fuels," said Senator Milne.

China's new coal import rules make it clear Australia is becoming a rust-bucket economy under the Abbott government, said Greens Leader Christine Milne.

"There's China moving to cut pollution while in Australia we have a policy vacuum and a Prime Minister who wants our economy to be reliant on exporting coal pollution to the world," said Senator Milne.

"Tony Abbott is putting his hands over his ears and refusing to hear the loud message that investing in coal, and building coal ports and railways, will lead to stranded assets and is jeopardising our future prosperity.

Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne says the Abbott government has today admitted it is undermining renewable energy to protect the old coal-fired generators, after comments by Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane on morning radio.

"The Industry Minister has belled the cat on the RET review. He's made it clear this attack on renewable energy is nothing more than a cynical move to prop up old coal-fired power stations," Senator Milne said.

Greens Leader Christine Milne says the Palmer United Party has done a mean and tricky deal with the Abbott government to turn down revenue and give a big win to mining magnates around Australia.

"Instead of getting a fair share from the big end of town that can afford to pay, coal mining billionaire Clive Palmer has done a tricky deal and put the pressure back on workers and families," said Senator Milne.

"Champagne corks will be popping in mining company boardrooms while Australian workers will face less money for their retirement.

Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne says the Renewable Energy Target has been a major contributor to cutting pollution and energy costs, and must not be scaled down or abandoned.

"Tony Abbott wants to destroy jobs, destroy investment and make power more expensive for consumers all because he wants to protect the old coal-fired generators and gas companies," said Senator Milne.

"Tony Abbott's mates in the big end of town, in the coal industry in particular, can't cope with the competition from renewable energy.

The Australian Greens say tankers in the Great Barrier Reef pose an unacceptable risk, as storms of greater intensity batter the North Queensland coast.

"The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has come out and said we're no longer predicting the consequences of climate change, we're actually observing them," said Greens Leader Christine Milne.

"Our hearts go out to the people of North Queensland as Cyclone Ita approaches.