'Forget night footy and night cricket': Extraordinary warning after Labor vows to hit their 45% renewable energy target Michael McCormack declared opposition leader Bill Shorten was 'in fairyland' Nationals leader was criticising Shorten's proposed renewable energy target McCormack also declared sport under lights could come to an end in AustraliaBy Andrew Prentice For Daily Mail Australia Published: 05:30 GMT, 11 March 2019 | Updated: 05:31 GMT, 11 March 2019 Viewcomments If opposition leader Bill Shorten is elected as the next prime minister, night time sport could be abolished in Australia, according to claims by Michael McCormack. The Nationals leader declared it 'very much a realistic outcome', as he heavily criticised Mr Shorten's proposed renewable energy target of 45 per cent across the nation. The renewable target is part of the Labor government's long term commitment to conserve energy for future generations. '(Shorten) is living in fairyland. I mean, you can't do that. It's just not possible. He's nuts,' McCormack said. Deputy prime minister Michael McCormack (pictured) has criticised Bill Shorten's future energy plans Opposition leader Bill Shorten (pictured) was labelled as 'a bloke living in fairyland' by deputy prime minister Michael McCormack 'I mean sure, go down that path. But (if you do), forget night footy. Forget night cricket.' McCormack then turned his attention to struggling pensioners set to be affected by Shorten's ambitious national energy target. 'They will be turning off their power because they won't be able to afford it,' he said. 'They will be shivering all winter and melting all summer.' With the federal election set down for May, McCormack's comments weren't surprising. McCormack is well aware of the looming threat Barnaby Joyce poses, who on Radio National said he would be 'open' to again be Australia's elected deputy prime minister if a spill was called. Barnaby Joyce (pictured) was Australia's elected deputy prime minister in 2016 before he resigned - on Radio National on Monday morning he said he was again 'open' to the role In reality, big spending major broadcasters on free-to-air as well as pay television would never agree to only stage sporting games in Australian daylight hours. Research has also shown fans prefer live sport starting from twilight onwards. Literally an exercise worth millions of dollars, footy and cricket under lights is here to stay, no matter how big the supposed renewable energy target. Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility