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

I thank Senator Brockman for his question because Senator Brockman, I know, appreciates the importance of reliability and affordability in our energy markets, as do all of my colleagues on this side of the chamber. Indeed, households and businesses around Australia also know that affordability and reliability are essential. Affordability and reliability are widely appreciated. They don't seem to be appreciated by those opposite, so I was surprised to find that some others who do recognise the importance of affordability and reliability come from none other than the union movement.

I was looking through various statements and submissions recently. In January this year, the Victorian secretary of the Australian Workers' Union said:

You cannot run heavy industry without reliable, plentiful and cheap electricity.

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It's just a shame that renewables aren't quite there yet.