Helen Haines (Indi, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Each summer when the temperature rises to 35 degrees or higher in towns like Bethanga, Bellbridge and Euroa, the power can simply switch off. Many towns across regional Australia are far too familiar with regular and lengthy power outages, especially in extreme weather. To be clear: this isn't because of renewables or even because of our aging coal-fired power stations. Increasingly, small towns on the edge of the main grid have their power cut because of something called the rapid earth fault current limiter. These sensitive devices switch the powerline off instantly if a fault is detected, to reduce the risk of a bushfire. Of course this is an important safety measure, but the effects of a power outage are terrible. Businesses are forced to shut, and it's often the elderly and the sick who suffer the most when there's no electricity.

Successive governments from both major parties have neglected these regional townships. They focus more on getting power to the major cities. But regional, edge-of-grid towns deserve reliable and secure power supply. Microgrids involving a system of solar, diesel and battery storage connected to businesses, households and community buildings can be a solution. During extreme weather events a microgrid can separate from the network to supply power. We must invest in better energy resilience to ensure our businesses can operate, our food doesn't spoil and we can all stay comfortable as the climate changes. I call on the government—any government—to do better for power supply to regional—

Sharon Claydon (Newcastle, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Bennelong has the call.