Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Grogan, for your question. I can update the chamber that last week the government was able to announce backing for the six large-scale batteries for Victoria and South Australia. Having gone out to tender for 600 megawatts, these projects will deliver nearly 1,000 megawatts of storage. The projects are being underwritten by the Capacity Investment Scheme as part of the Albanese government's Reliable Renewables Plan. This scheme will deliver for our future generation needs by underwriting 32 gigawatts of capacity.

We are investing in the cheapest form of energy and as the Australian Energy Market Operator said back in April:

We are increasingly seeing renewable energy records being set which is a good thing for Australian consumers as it is key in driving prices down …

Our plan overall is working. We've seen a 25 per cent increase in renewables in the national grid. We have seen record investment in batteries and in storage. We have green-lit 60 renewable projects. But, on top of that investment, we are providing direct relief. We're delivering $300 in energy price relief to every household, and that comes on top of $3 billion in energy relief for millions of people, including pensioners, veterans and low-income families. This is relief that those opposite voted against. And in their relentless negativity, they have been completely unable to vote for this or any number of other measures that are designed to support people with the cost of living.

When it comes to energy, Senator Grogan, we are seeing encouraging signs. The impact of the recent DMO and our rebates mean that this year all DMO states are at least 10 per cent and up to 22.8 per cent cheaper than they would have been.