While Malcolm Turnbull says a special COAG meeting focused only on security will be convened soon, this meeting considered a major report on the national energy market.
Australia's chief scientist Dr Alan Finkel says a new clean energy target will ensure lower power prices for consumers, but his 212-page report also proposes a scheme with a low target for emissions reduction from the electricity sector.
He briefed the prime minister and premiers in Hobart, saying a new energy policy should be centred on a technologically-neutral clean energy target and better planning.
That would allow for the orderly rollout of new power generation into the market to improve reliability, following a series of blackouts across eastern and southern Australia.
Dr Finkel says hos proposal complies with international parameters agreed to under the Paris Accord.
"So the obligations of Australia under the Paris Accord COP 21 to reduce emissions by 28 per cent in 2030 and achieve zero emissions in the second half of the century. And we have used those two parameters in our modelling. We haven't specified exactly the parameters of the trajectory but sensible parameters would be those under the Paris accord and that is what we have used in our modelling."
Dr Finkel's target does not prevent established technologies, such as coal-fired power stations, from being expanded but he says it's unlikely this type of technology will be prominent in the future.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says the two principal benefits of the report's proposed policy are its neutrality, in terms of technology, and the fact it would smoothly follow on from the existing renewable energy target.
"The point is there is nothing in the clean energy target that would prevent a new coal-fired power station from being built. It would provide an incentive for lower emissions technologies however."
The report says gas would play an essential role in providing secure and reliable electricity, but this would need better oversight by the Australian Energy Market Operator, and more development of gas with proper compensation for landholders and community consultation.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says Queensland will cooperate.
"The other issue is gas as well and I will say this that Queensland is prepared to play our part when it comes to national energy supply. We've opened up over 400 square kilometres of gas exploration solely used for domestic supply so we're happy to continue there."
Dr Finkel says the overwhelming message he received while undertaking the review was a call for a single, nationally-agreed plan to manage the transition to a lower emissions economy.
The report states to enable new generation to be brought online and the jobs impact minimised, power generators should be required to give three years' notice of their intention to close and a register of expected closures published.
The host of the meeting, Tasmania's Premier Will Hodgman, used the opportunity to talk up Tasmania's renewable energy initiatives.
"Today was a wonderful chance to consider Tasmania's place as the renewable energy battery of the nation, in the context of the Finkel review. And to appreciate that a state that is 90 per cent renewable, that is as we speak seeing increased confidence in investment in renewable energy generation."
Dr Finkel recommends a new Energy Security Board should take control of his blueprint.
Mr Turnbull said leaders will examine the recommendations in detail and will report back in August.
