Tuesday, 5 March 2024

Ministers statements: energy policy

Lily D’AMBROSIO (Mill Park – Minister for Climate Action, Minister for Energy and Resources, Minister for the State Electricity Commission) (14:35): I am very pleased to reaffirm to the house the Allan Labor government’s ongoing opposition to nuclear power as part of our energy future. It will come as news perhaps to the Leader of the Opposition, but it has been our position now for more than 41 years. Why is that the case? Well, it will drive people’s power prices up by 500 per cent. Building nuclear will cost 500 per cent more than building firm – oh, they are listening. They are quiet because they actually do not know this. They have been sold a pup. They have been sold a lie, because they are too much into their own internals at the moment and counting those numbers.

John Pesutto interjected.

The SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, I do not need assistance to make rulings from the chair.

Peter Walsh: On a point of order, Speaker, if the minister would like us to interject, we are very happy to oblige.

The SPEAKER: The Leader of the Nationals knows that is not a point of order.

Lily D’AMBROSIO: It is 500 per cent more to build nuclear than it is to build firm solar and wind. That is the reality: 500 per cent or 50 times 10. Whichever way you want to look at it, it is still 500 per cent. Of course there is also the issue of toxic waste, which stays in our environment for millions of years. There are some who are hanging on for dear life, wanting Victorians to believe that we have got an open mind to this, but we are not open to this, because it is a reckless policy that is only about driving people’s power bills up – just to save a leadership. I can tell the Leader of the Opposition: you are on your own on this one, you and your 10 friends.

Lily D’AMBROSIO: Can I just say, the future is renewables, and that is what we are delivering now. If you want to support a technology that is 10, 20 years away from being developed here in Australia whilst our coal generators are closing down, we are delivering the replacement renewable energy which is the most genuinely affordable power to come into the state. That is what we need. Anything else is about driving up people’s power bills and not having enough electricity to keep the lights on. That is their recipe. It is not just me saying that; the member for Wannon says that, and the member for Polwarth is silent, and like any leadership – (Time expired)

Roma Britnell: On a point of order, Speaker, I have six overdue unanswered questions dating back to last year – in fact they are six months late. The questions are to the ministers for environment, outdoor recreation and health. They are about important issues for South-West Coast, such as the Warrnambool boat ramp, Port Fairy Golf Club, Terang aged care facilities and Dutton Way. The community deserves answers on these pressing matters, which the ministers have been sitting on for many months, highlighting their disregard for parliamentary process and regional communities. Those questions are 469, 338, 341, 413, 319 and 531.

The SPEAKER: Could you please supply the list to the clerks, member for South-West Coast.