Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

The Greens claim to believe in transparency. Seriously, give me a break. Meanwhile, those opposite are always quick off the block when it comes to criticising, but, in reality, they're all show and no substance. Do you remember all those energy policies that that mob over there had for the nine years they were last in power? It was 22 at the last count, and they didn't land one. On their watch, 24 coal-fired power stations were scheduled to be closed and replaced with nothing. And who could forget the former Prime Minister's stunt when he walked into the House with a lump of coal? Then there is their latest fanciful stunt, the nuclear power plants scattered around the nation. Do you remember that one? You know how it goes: stunts to the left of us, stunts to the right. I mean, seriously! Let's not be distracted by the fanciful and the critical; let's get to the point.

It's time for this chamber to do its job and focus on providing real solutions that address the very real problems facing Australians, both in the short and medium term and in the long term. In the short term, this government has acted to shore up electricity supply and stabilise prices. In the medium term, we have developed and adopted a strategy that will ensure gas supplies as the intermittent fuel source. Australian gas will also play an important role in the global energy transformation and in meeting our legislated climate goals. Remember them? And, in the long term, we are focused on transitioning our economy to be powered by renewables. We are doing all this while respecting the methodical approach that needs to be undertaken through the environmental approvals process. The approvals processes involved with this particular project commenced in late 2018 and are reaching their conclusion. That's six years ago. These are important processes that must not be thrown in the bin simply because the Greens political party are worried they may not get their own way.

So let's focus on the facts. I quote:

Should the Browse project go ahead, which would be subject to regulatory/environmental approvals:

The North West Shelf has delivered trusted and reliable energy supply in WA for 40 years. I know that because back in 1982 I delivered the furniture to their first office. That's how long they've been up there. It is a major employer in and around Karratha and Dampier and has invested well over $300 million in social and community infrastructure in the region. This contribution is in addition to the corporate income tax paid at 30 per cent on taxable profits. This is on top of the $40 billion paid in royalties and excise by the North West Shelf project since the start of production in 1984.

Colleagues, when you go into WA you see a sea of fluoro shirts. I would challenge the Greens senators to stand in Perth Airport and condemn the gas industry. I dare you. It's alright to make big statements while you're hiding here in Canberra. I tell you what: I am pro fluoro shirts, I am pro employers, I am pro jobs and I am pro gas as a transition.