Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

The opposition won't be supporting this motion. This motion misrepresents the recommendation of the Environment and Communications References Committee. It is effectively calling for the Senate to endorse chaotic closure of old coal power stations like those experienced at Northern Power Station in South Australia and Hazelwood in Victoria. More closures are inevitable. By 2035, 70 per cent of Australia's coal plant fleet will have passed its design life. This is something Alan Finkel recognised in his report when he wrote:

A key challenge facing the NEM in the future will be managing the retirement of the existing coal-fired generators as they reach their end of life.

It also forms the rationale for the three-year closure notice period recommended by the Finkel review and endorsed by this government. The approach advocated by this motion guarantees community and work pain is maximised as are negative impacts on energy affordability and security. Labor stands by its call for closures to be managed in line with the government's Finkel review. With this motion, those opposite endorse more chaotic closures, larger job losses, higher prices and less secure energy supply. (Time expired)

Question negatived.