Karen Grogan (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is—

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

Senator Shoebridge, we have moved on. I expect you to acknowledge that. Senator Grogan, please start your question again and I'll restart the clock.

Karen Grogan (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Senator McAllister. I know that all Australians want to ensure that the energy system is reliable and affordable, and I would also draw people's attention to the recent evidence from the CSIRO that firmed renewables are the cheapest form of energy. Can the minister please update the chamber on how the government's renewables plan is delivering reliable and affordable energy to Australians?

Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy) Share this | Link to 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.

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

Senator Grogan, first supplementary?

Karen Grogan (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I note that previous attempts to underwrite new energy generation have not been as successful as the government's Capacity Investment Scheme. Can the minister update the chamber on further progress on how the government's Reliable Renewables plan is attracting investment in renewable energy?

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

I can inform the chamber that the government's Capacity Investment Scheme is working and, as I indicated in my answer to your primary question, Senator Grogan, there has been enormous interest from the private sector. This does stand in contrast to the 22 failed energy policies from those opposite. Mr Taylor's Underwriting New Generation Investments program, the UNGI program—do you remember that? It could perhaps have been titled the 'underwriting no generation investment program', because it failed to underwrite any new generation whatsoever—any at all. In contrast, we were able to support six projects in Victoria and your home state of South Australia, and more than 100 bids were made—a pipeline of viable projects.

I can also update the chamber on the first Capacity Investment Scheme tender for Western Australia. It has been massively oversubscribed by over six times what was tendered.

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

Senator Grogan, second supplementary?

Karen Grogan (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you for that information. I would also note that the government has not taken the path of supporting nuclear energy, which the CSIRO has identified as the most expensive form of energy. Can the minister explain why the government's approach is the best pathway to Australia's energy system?

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

Just as we listen to the experts when it comes to climate science, we also listen to the experts on the energy system, and the experts—for example, those at the Smart Energy Council—say that the coalition's nuclear plan could cost around $600 billion. Now, the shadow Treasurer, of course, would need to deal with this. Mr Taylor knew that nuclear wasn't viable when he was a minister in the last government, and he certainly did nothing about this issue as minister. Here is what he said about nuclear in May:

Well, at the end of the day, all generators, if they're going to be successful in delivering affordable, reliable energy and bring down emissions, have got to deliver a return on capital.

What did the Leader of the Opposition actually announce? It was not that. It was not letting the market decide. It was not even underwriting anything. It was state-owned nuclear plants, paid for by the taxpayer, delivering the most expensive form of energy that there is. Poor Mr Taylor! He doesn't have a lot of luck in shadow cabinet, does he?