Ben Morton (Tangney, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for the Environment and Energy. Will the minister update the House on how a coordinated, national approach to energy policy is supporting secure and affordable energy for hardworking Australian families and businesses? How does this compare with alternative approaches?

Josh Frydenberg (Kooyong, Liberal Party, Minister for the Environment and Energy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Tangney for his question and acknowledge his deep commitment to getting better energy policy across the country and ensuring the lights stay on. The Prime Minister has laid out a clear plan for our energy policy—first and foremost, energy security, and energy affordability as we transition to a lower emissions future and taking the ideology out of the policy. We understand that renewables are an important part of the energy mix. In fact, just 18 months ago there was bipartisan support for a renewable energy target, which the member for Port Adelaide said would restore investor confidence. But you cannot have increased renewables without increased storage. That is why this government is prioritising storage projects, why the Prime Minister has outlined our emphasis on pumped hydro and why we have directed ARENA and the CEFC to invest in these projects. More than $100 million has been flowing to storage projects like a project in South Australia which is linking 1,000 homes and businesses with batteries and solar PV to create a virtual power plant, and like the work that we are doing with the ANU to map out future sites for pumped hydro across the country.

I am asked if I am aware of any alternative approaches. Well, we know that the Labor states of South Australia and Queensland have 50 per cent renewable targets, and we know that Victoria has a 40 per cent target, and we know that the Leader of the Opposition wants to take this madness national with his 50 per cent target. But we also know that when they were rushing last week, after the blackout in South Australia, to blame the operator, they all started to trip over themselves. The member for Sydney, who struggles to get a question up here, put out a tweet during question time asking me to turn on the gas in South Australia. I thought to myself, 'Maybe she did not listen to the member for Wakefield earlier that day, when you thought the federal government could provide the answer,' because this is what the member for Wakefield said on Sky News:

… as I understand it, the Federal Government has no powers to direct the Australian Energy Market to do—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for the Environment and Energy will resume his seat for a second.

Mr Bowen interjecting—

The member for McMahon is warned! The member for Melbourne on a point of order.

Adam Bandt (Melbourne, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On relevance, the minister might like to know about solar power. It does quite well during a heat wave—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Melbourne will resume his seat.

Mr Bandt interjecting—

His microphone is not on. I say to the member for Melbourne and the member for Denison, as I said to the Treasurer last week, they know the rules on props. Please place the prop on the table. I would like to address the House.

Mr Bandt interjecting—

The member for Melbourne will resume his seat. I have got to inform the member for Melbourne: as far as anyone watching is concerned, he is on mute. As soon as I say, 'Resume your seat,' the microphone goes off.

I would like to now address the House. The minister will resume his seat.

Mr Pasin interjecting—

The member for Barker will cease interjecting. I would like to address the House without interruption; in fact, I will, without interruption. Anyone interrupting will be dealt with.

Last Thursday, I have to say, an undesirable prop was used here in the House, and this has occurred again today. If you look at the history of our parliamentary debate, this has occurred from time to time, but I am just giving fair warning now—

Mr Butler interjecting—

The member for Port Adelaide! I am giving fair warning now this is not going to become a regular occurrence in the House. So, like a game of musical chairs, that is it. Any further repetition of it I will need to deal with. As I said, it has happened from time to time, but it is not going to become a regular feature of question time.

Mr Joyce interjecting—

I say to the Deputy Prime Minister, who is midconversation, I find it quite unbecoming for the House and it is not going to become a regular feature of question time. The minister has the call.

Josh Frydenberg (Kooyong, Liberal Party, Minister for the Environment and Energy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I wonder if the member for Melbourne knows that it takes 220 tonnes of coking coal to make a wind turbine and a dozen metals and minerals to make a solar panel.

The member for Port Adelaide, the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Sydney and the member for Watson do not have any idea who the Australian Energy Market Operator is, they do not have any idea what the powers of the federal government are, they do not have any idea what the state government's responsibilities are, and they do not have any idea of what the impacts of blackouts on households and businesses are. In fact, the member for Port Adelaide flippantly described those blackouts in South Australia as a 'hiccup'.