Radio host Alan Jones has lambasted Tony Abbott live on air for his government’s Renewable Energy Target and Australia’s impending free trade deal with China.

The 2GB host, who is usually a supporter of Mr Abbott, accused the prime minister of crippling economic growth with his energy targets.

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“You know that wind turbines are a fake and heavily subsidised by the taxpayer. That global warming is a hoax, we’ve had nothing for 18 years, we’re demonising coal fire power” Mr Jones said.

“People listening to you now say, well he’s talking economic growth, but hang on, the cost of energy with renewable energy targets is crippling economic growth.

“They’re saying to me ‘we used to have the cheapest energy in the world. Now because of all of this, we actually cannot afford to go on doing what we’re doing, and jobs are being lost here’. Doesn’t economic growth start at home?”

Mr Abbott defended himself, saying the reason he cut the carbon tax was to keep energy prices low.

Mr Jones also criticised the prime minister for being “upstaged” by US President Barack Obama’s climate pact with China.

“We’re supposed to have a wonderful alliance, some sort of mate,” Jones said of the recent pact to lower carbon emissions.

“I’ll tell you what, if I was Tony Abbott I’d be pretty angry about all that stuff.”

Mr Abbott said it was “pretty easy” to be upstaged by the president of the United States.

Mr Jones concluded his diatribe by addressing the free trade deal with China, which is set to be implemented within a year and will reduce tariffs on Australian export to China.

“To win an election – and you’re not worth two bob in opposition – to win an election, you’ve got to pass the pub test,” Mr Jones said.

“Why can’t we see this Free Trade Agreement … we don’t believe the people who are elected to represent us are speaking our language.”

Mr Jones went on to question the notion of foreign ownership under the agreement.

“Can Tony Abbott go and buy a farm in China? The answer’s no. No he can’t.

“I’m telling you out there, they’re on fire. In the pubs, they don’t swallow this … the people that vote are the masters, they have given you whatever authority you’ve got. They don’t agree with this.”

Hear audio of the interview below: