Tim Storer (SA, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) Australia in blessed with world-class renewable energy and energy storage resources,

(ii) the price of renewable energy continues to decline, setting new records year on year,

(iii) utility-scale wind and solar farms are the cheapest form of new-build electricity generation in Australia today,

(iv) Australia has the highest penetration of rooftop solar in the world, with close to two million households having installed solar systems to help them to reduce their power bills, and

(v) South Australia's Honesdale Power Reserve, the world's biggest grid connected lithium-ion battery, is showing how new technology can put downward pressure on electricity prices and allow for the successful integration of high levels of wind and solar energy; and

(b) agrees that renewable energy, coupled with energy storage technologies, can provide "fair dinkum power" that is cheap, reliable and clean.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Sue Lines (WA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Liberal-National government is committed to affordable and reliable energy for Australian households and businesses. Our policies reflect this. We are backing investment in reliable dispatchable generation to increase competition and supply, and to deliver affordable 24/7 power for Australian families and businesses. We will have a short list of fair dinkum generation projects early in the new year. Fair dinkum power is reliable dispatchable generation, which includes coal, gas and pumped hydro.

Sue Lines (WA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that general business notice of motion No. 1222 standing the name of Senator Storer be agreed to.