Australia energy review may pave way to policy agreement

Melbourne

A HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED review of Australia's energy security is set for release on Friday amid hopes that it will pave the way to ending a decade of bitter division that has claimed the careers of two prime ministers and led to a string of blackouts.

The report by Australia's chief scientist, Alan Finkel, is expected to help drive a political compromise between providing cheap, reliable energy and pushing to protect the environment.

The Finkel Review was commissioned last October after tornadoes knocked down transmission lines in South Australia, triggering a state-wide blackout that left homes without power for up to …