Nita Green (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Senator Watt. Cost of living is top of mind for Queenslanders, with energy affordability one of their key concerns. A recently released plan by the Australian Energy Market Operator confirmed that the Albanese Labor government's Reliable Renewables plan is the only plan supported by experts to deliver a cheap, clean and reliable energy system to Australian households and businesses. How will the Albanese Labor government's clean, cheap and reliable renewables plan provide more affordable energy and secure jobs in our regions?

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you very much, Senator Green, for that question. The Albanese Labor government is delivering for every Australian because we are a government for all Australians. That's why, from this week, we're taking $300 off the power bill of every Australian household, including those who live in regional areas. Our Reliable Renewables plan is the only plan supported by experts to deliver the clean, cheap, reliable and resilient energy systems that Australians deserve. Under Labor we've had a 25 per cent increase in renewables in the national grid and we've greenlit more than 50 renewable projects—enough to power three million homes. Reliable renewables are the cheapest form of energy, and getting more renewables in the power system is bringing prices down.

That's why Labor opposes Mr Dutton's risky, expensive nuclear reactor plan that guarantees more expensive power in 20 years time and blackouts in the meantime. But it turns out it's not just Labor that opposes Mr Dutton's plan. It seems that many within the Queensland LNP rank and file also oppose it. The Australian newspaper had an article today titled 'Nuclear sidelined at LNP unity convention'. The article reads:

The Liberal National Party has snubbed any reference to nuclear energy across 173 resolutions up for debate at its final convention before the next Queensland and federal elections.

Not one rank-and-file member of the LNP is prepared to back Mr Dutton's nuclear fantasy. There is nothing from Senator McGrath, nothing from Senator McDonald, nothing from Senator Scarr—not even anything from our friend up the back, Senator Rennick, over there in Siberia. There were 173 resolutions and not a single one supporting a nuclear reactor next to the Great Artesian Basin.

The fact that not one LNP branch could bring themselves to support Peter Dutton's risky nuclear idea shows what they think of this policy. They know it's divisive and they know it'll jack up power prices.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Green, first supplementary?

Nita Green (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The AEMO plan shows that a renewables powered grid is the most efficient and affordable energy option for Australia and does not envisage a role for nuclear in Australia's energy future. I note that this view is shared by a majority of states and territories, including the leader of the Liberal National Party in Queensland, David Crisafulli, who today confirmed that nuclear is not on the LNP agenda. Why are renewables the best option to power regional Australia, and what would be the impact on regions of an alternative energy plan?

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Green. The simple fact is that Mr Dutton can't convince his own members to support nuclear power, so why should he expect Queenslanders to support him as well? Mr Dutton's deeply divisive nuclear policy is not only being snubbed by LNP branch members; it's been panned by the state leader of the opposition, David Crisafulli, who says it's not on his agenda. I notice that Deb Frecklington, the shadow energy minister in Queensland, who also happens to be the member for the electorate covering the Tarong Power Station, says she firmly opposes the federal opposition's plan to convert Tarong Power Station into a nuclear plant.

In fact, it gets worse. Mr James Lister, the member for Southern Downs, said about nuclear:

… why would I prioritise it over the fight right now to fix the hospitals and the roads, to build more houses and dams, and to lock up the crooks?

The nuclear war is set to explode at this weekend's LNP state conference. If Peter Dutton can't get his own members to support nuclear power, why should he expect Queenslanders to back him as well?

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

A second supplementary, Senator Green?

Nita Green (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I do note the reporting in the Australian today stating that the Queensland LNP has excluded any reference to nuclear energy across 173 resolutions for debate at their state convention this weekend. Minister, like all Australians, Queenslanders want clean, cheap and reliable energy. Why are renewables the best option to futureproof energy supply and jobs in the regions?

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator McKenzie, when you're quiet, I will call the minister.

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Green. You're exactly right, Queenslanders do want cleaner, cheaper and more reliable power, and that's what hardworking Queenslanders are getting from the Albanese and Miles governments. I do have to give some credit also to the work ethic of the branch members of the LNP over the last few weeks. As I say, there are 173 resolutions for their state conference this weekend, and, let me tell you, there are some absolute doozies in there. There's a motion to ban Indigenous flags at press conferences—that'll do a lot to help cost-of-living issues. There's the old classic: a motion to sell the ABC, because we know privatisation in the media market goes well. And we have a new classic: a motion to abolish the mandatory medical certificate for drivers over the age of 75. LNP members in Queensland thought it was more important to remove medical certificates for elderly drivers than to support Mr Dutton's risky nuclear policy for Queensland. That's because even LNP members know that more nuclear means higher power prices and more blackouts. (Time expired)