Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Hansard source

As I outlined in relation to the primary question, the government has taken action to respond to some of the challenges in the energy market, particularly those posed by the increasing mix of renewable generation. It was at the COAG Energy Council meeting on 7 October that an independent inquiry was established to develop a national reform blueprint to maintain energy security and reliability in the national electricity market, under the leadership of Dr Finkel. This review will draw together and build on the analysis and findings of a number of reports commissioned by all Australian governments through the energy council, including reports by the Australian Energy Market Operator and the Australian Energy Market Commission into future power system security and the impact of carbon mitigation policies. It is the view of the government that any inquiry established prior to the report of the Finkel review being completed would be a premature undertaking.