Tuesday, 30 August 2022

Energy policy

Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) (13:10): Working families and already struggling small businesses across Melbourne’s west have approached me protesting strongly about power costs that are hitting them hard, and I bring those protests to this Parliament today. The race to destroy the Victorian economy further by the ALP, the Liberals and the Greens mystifies me. The whole of Australia contributes a fraction over 1 per cent of the world’s emissions of carbon dioxide. The question must be asked: what percentage of 1 per cent does Victoria produce? It is minimal at most.

I can understand the ALP and Greens going down the zero-emissions path—they do loopy things all the time—but the Liberals, not for the first time this year, have me totally baffled. Why are they doing this? It is even stranger when we consider that the Leader of the Opposition in the other place has previously expressed strong support for my position on this insanity. Strange days indeed. I assure constituents in Melbourne’s west that I will not be following this path. The ALP—sorry, the DLP—stands for cheap, reliable power—

Members interjecting.

Mr FINN: Well, we are the real ALP, if you go back to the Supreme Court. The DLP stands for cheap, reliable power for all. We stand for what is best for Victoria.

On that note, might I extend my very best wishes to the mighty Tigers as they carry the Victorian flag into battle at the Gabba on Thursday night. Eat ’em alive, Tigers.