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

It is remarkable—the Palaszczuk government in Queensland has a 50 per cent renewable energy target by 2030, yet it is coming off the lowest base in the country of only some five per cent of generation. They claim it will be cost-neutral, which is the most preposterous and unbelievable claim going around. Don't take my word for it, though. The Grattan Institute has said that Queensland Labor's policy is an 'economic illusion'. The Australian Energy Council has said that Queensland consumers and taxpayers will ultimately pay the price. Indeed, even the Queensland Council of Social Service has said there will be consequences for consumers in terms of higher retail energy prices. What is very clear is that, under these types of ad hoc approaches the likes of which the Palaszczuk Labor government are applying, consumers will pay a price; businesses will pay a price. Ultimately, there will be fewer jobs and higher prices for electricity, and that will be terrible, devastating news for the state of Queensland.