Coalition ministers have been forced to defend the Government's renewable energy target from criticism by former prime minister Tony Abbott, who has repeated his call for it to be scrapped.

Key points: The Government has set a target of producing 33,000 gigawatt-hours of renewable energy by 2020

The Government has set a target of producing 33,000 gigawatt-hours of renewable energy by 2020 Mr Abbott argues the target will destroy heavy industry in South Australia

Mr Abbott argues the target will destroy heavy industry in South Australia Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg defends the policy describing it as "moderate" compared to Labor

In a speech to a Young Liberals conference in South Australia on the weekend, Mr Abbott accused the Turnbull Government of taking the public for "mugs" and losing touch with traditional Liberal voters.

The attack comes a week after Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg defended the policy from criticism, insisting it would be difficult to meet despite exemptions for heavy industry.

The Federal Government has set a target of producing 33,000 gigawatt-hours of renewable energy by 2020, although this was downgraded from 41,000 gigawatts hours under the Abbott government.

Education Minister Simon Birmingham told ABC's AM that there was no plan to change the renewable energy target despite internal criticism.

"The real focus of debate around the renewable energy target shouldn't be our 23 per cent target by 2020 — which as I say has only been in place for around 18 months," he said.

"It should be about how [Opposition Leader] Bill Shorten is going to address the 50 per cent target the Labor Party has announced."

Mr Birmingham "emphatically denied" Mr Abbott's charge that the Government had lost touch with voters and said ministers were continuing to "get on with the important jobs".

Mr Abbott — along with a number of other conservative MPs — has claimed the renewable energy target will destroy heavy industry in South Australia due to rising electricity costs.

Liberal backbencher John Alexander said political parties had lost public support by focusing on negativity, rather than focusing on positive ideas and a contest of ideas.

"I have listened to Tony very carefully, he is a great man," he told ABC Radio.

"Ever since it was believed that Government is only lost and never won, there has been a negative attack and I think we have lost support through that negativity."

Renewed calls to scrap energy target

Mr Frydenberg has dismissed calls from Mr Abbott to cancel the renewable energy target and described it as a "moderate" compared to Labor's position.

He said the Government was on track to meet the 2020 renewable energy target, but a leaked report into the country's electricity market found Australian was not on track to meet its Paris climate change commitments, with investment in renewable energy stalling due the lack of a long-term policy.

The Federal Government ratified the Paris climate change agreement in November before Mr Trump's inauguration.

Mr Trump vowed to cancel the agreement in early 2016, claiming it would give foreign bureaucrats control of how much energy the US uses.

Mr Turnbull was replaced as opposition leader by Mr Abbott in 2009 after a dispute about climate change policy.

Mr Abbott took issue with comments by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull earlier this month, who alleged traditional cabinet processes were absent under his leadership.

"Absolutely false," he said.

"As I have said to the Prime Minister on many times, I will defend the record of my Government."

Mr Turnbull will address the National Press Club on Wednesday and is expected to outline a policy agenda for 2017.