Linda White (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

It is embarrassing, Acting Deputy President, to have 10 years of opportunity that has been wasted. It's probably embarrassing for those opposite to have it pointed out yet again, as it was last time this inquiry was put up.

But it is clear. After 10 years of not actually delivering energy certainty for their constituents, you'd think that the Nationals and the Liberals would take an opportunity to engage constructively in the government's plans to improve community consultation—something they never did.

Beyond the review, which I mentioned was announced in July, the government is doing more to consult and make sure communities are heard. We are partnering with the states, territories and transmission network service providers to improve planning, community engagement and community outcomes for new electricity developments. We have also recently expanded funding for the independent Office of the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner, who works with communities where there are concerns about the development of renewable energy infrastructure projects. The commissioner's role is to refer complaints from concerned community residents about wind farms, large-scale solar farms, energy storage facilities and new major transmission projects as well as to promote best practices for industry and government to adopt with regard to the planning and operation of these projects. It is through this independent body that those complaints and concerns are addressed. It's through this independent body that the government seeks to have conversations and a dialogue with concerned communities about Australia's energy infrastructure future. That is the best way forward when it comes to the matters we are debating here today, not the political circus being proposed by the opposition. What's more, we are also making changes to the National Electricity Rules to clarify consultation requirements for transmission developers, to ensure that development begins at the very start of the route selection process. This will improve community engagement and give stakeholders more confidence and trust in the consultation process.

I also want to make a few points in relation to consultation with First Nations people on this matter of energy infrastructure and electrification. As you would expect from a government that is committed to delivering an enshrined Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament in the Constitution, consultation around projects on First Nations land is a priority for this government. In relation to that, the government is developing a First Nations Clean Energy Strategy to ensure First Nations people have a say in energy policies and programs in the energy transformation. We're working with the First Nations Clean Energy Network and the National Indigenous Australians Agency to deliver this, and I'm confident about this project.

It's also worth mentioning the developments around wind energy infrastructure. The Albanese government is establishing the offshore wind energy industry in Australia in consultation with communities, not in spite of communities. We've declared areas capable of providing up to 15 gigawatts of power in the Hunter and Gippsland combined. That's enough to support 6,000 jobs in construction and 4,500 ongoing jobs. All of these areas are being created with no less than 60 days consultation. The results of the final areas that are declared reflect the genuine consultation that takes place with sea users and other communities where these projects are established.

In my state of Victoria there are a range of exciting wind energy projects either in development or coming online. Frankly, if the coalition were interested in seeing cheaper, cleaner energy in all states and territories they would be supporting those initiatives and working with us constructively. Sadly, this is not to be. As I mentioned, as we transition energy infrastructure that is ageing and tired towards an improved and stronger future of energy infrastructure, partnerships between government and communities will help inform Australia's next stage of energy development and energy security. This is important for the Albanese government's agenda of delivering cheaper, cleaner energy and fighting climate change. On the other hand, it seems that attempting to turn energy policy into another political football is the only trick in the book of the coalition—so much so that they've tried to make this politicised motion happen three times now, showing us that they have no new ideas and it's the same old coalition.

When we were elected, the Albanese government ended the climate wars, which had toppled Liberal leader after Liberal leader over more than a decade. We have no interest in returning to that place and, frankly, the Australian people have no interest in going back to that place. We are taking action on climate change and energy policy, we are leading the way forward in a way the coalition failed to do for more than a decade.

All this inquiry represents is a kneejerk reaction of the coalition to politicise energy policy, to divide Australians along confected political lines and to try to endear themselves to a constituency which, the fact is, they largely ignored for the decade that they were in government. Nevertheless, the government will continue to do the right thing by consulting with communities and progressing our consultation review, thereby delivering on our climate and energy commitments while bringing rural and regional communities and First Nations Australians along with us on the journey.