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

It's remarkable the interjections coming across here from Senator Cameron who seems to be taking great delight in the concept that the Liddell plant might close. I heard Mr Fitzgibbon on radio this morning saying he'd love it if the life of Liddell could be extended; he'd love to see those jobs survive. While he was being cynical about it and while he was saying that he didn't think it could happen, he at least was positive about the prospects of saving those jobs. Senator Cameron seems to be wishing them away even faster than 2022.

The AEMO review has highlighted, very clearly, the importance of base load dispatchable power to make sure there is enough in the system. It has highlighted that the closure of Liddell in 2022 would create a supply shortfall, would exacerbate and replicate the problems we have seen in South Australia and Victoria. That is why we are taking every possible step to make sure that is avoided.