Sussan Ley is facing questions over the role of coal-fired power under a future coalition government, and whether taxpayers should be the ones funding it.

The opposition leader has played down the prospect of underwriting new and existing coal generation despite the coalition's policy supporting it.

Her comments sparked an excoriating spray from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who dismissed the policy as incoherent.

"The Australian people deserve better than this mess," he told reporters on Tuesday.

Opposition energy and climate spokesman Dan Tehan said the coalition had not changed its position on coal.

"Our plan has been very, very clear and that is we want to have a technology-neutral approach," he said.

"In the short term, we are prepared to have modest targeted underwriting of

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