Wednesday, 20 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) (14:29): I rise to update the house on the benefits that our nation-leading renewable energy targets are delivering for all Victorians. We have hit 39.3 per cent renewable electricity in this state already this year, up from just under 11 per cent when we first took office. We are absolutely in touching distance of our 40 per cent target by 2025. Because of this hard work and our record investments, we have delivered the lowest wholesale prices in the country, with benefits flowing through to Victorians’ power bills. Victorians on the Victorian default offer will pay $317 less than in other states, and small businesses will pay $1328, or 27.4 per cent less than in other states. We know that renewables are the cheapest way to create new, clean electricity, so the more renewable energy we can get into the system, the more benefits will flow to Victorians.

But we know that those opposite just cannot understand the numbers, and I want to be able to clear that up. You actually need to be able to count beyond 10, because here is another number that is really critical. Nuclear energy is five times more expensive – 500 per cent more expensive – and it is Victorians who will pick up the bill. We know that renewables are the cheapest form of energy that you can build. The Leader of the Opposition wants to be Progressive Pesutto in Hawthorn and Plutonium Pesutto on Spring Street, but on this side of the house we say the same thing, whether we are talking to people in Berwick –

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, can the minister refer to people by their correct titles, please?

The SPEAKER: I uphold the point of order. The minister will refer to members by their correct titles.

Lily D’AMBROSIO: On this side of the house we say the same thing all the time, whether we are talking to people in Berwick or in Sandringham, Nepean, Polwarth or anywhere else that people have leadership in mind. We are united and focused on keeping the lights on and power bills down for every Victorian.