Tuesday, 31 October 2023

Ministers statements: State Electricity Commission

Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:07): I am very pleased to make an update to the house today on the State Electricity Commission, because the SEC is back. Labor promised it, Victorians voted for it and we are bringing it back. The State Electricity Commissioner will lead Victoria’s renewables transformation.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! Leader of the Opposition will come to order.

Jacinta ALLAN: It will have a focus on homes, and importantly it will have a focus on people. It is going to invest in renewable energy and storage projects – enough to power around 1.5 million homes across the state. This is going to support the powering of every public hospital, every public school, police stations and government buildings with renewable energy. Also what is important is the next big build in energy transition.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! Leader of the Opposition, you are not immune from being removed from the chamber.

Jacinta ALLAN: It is going to create a pipeline of work across renewable energy projects – a pipeline of work that will support 59,000 jobs. What is important, because we do not just focus on aspects of jobs – we focus also on the training and apprenticeship opportunities – there are going to be 6000 positions for apprentices and trainees. That is why Victorians voted to bring back the SEC. They know that we have to do more work on renewable energy. They want to see more power put in the hands of people, and they want to see more jobs. We appreciate that those opposite have a different approach. They supported privatisation, they do not support the jobs, and we are very much seeing that they do not support the transmission to renewable energy.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The member for South-West Coast can leave the chamber for half an hour.

Member for South-West Coast withdrew from chamber.