Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Hansard source

The government is extremely conscious of the importance of managing the transition in the energy sector. That is why, as part of the Clean Energy package the Prime Minister has announced, there is a very significant amount of money focused on ensuring that transformation in the energy sector.

I would make the point that the policy of those on the other side also involves a range of funding for the electricity generation sector. The difference, of course, is that that is not transparent and they have not been very clear at all with the industry what that would involve. The government announced assistance under the Energy Security package being provided to generators on the basis of emissions intensity. We believe that the package will ensure the sort of energy security that is expected, and we will continue to work with the regulators to ensure that that occurs.

I am asked to comment specifically in relation to particular energy assets. I want to make it very clear to the senator that I do not think it is appropriate for us to pick and choose in the context of Senate question time. What will occur? A fund has been funded and the principles around which assistance will be allocated have been outlined, but I do not think it is economically sensible to come into this chamber and make specific comments about specific assets, as the senator has invited me to do.