Government needs to get on with national energy policy

WE HAVE just held the National Energy Summit in Toowoomba.

I think this was a particularly important meeting where we were able to have Minister for Resources and Northern Australia; Queensland Senator Matthew Canavan, and Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports and Minister for Energy, Biofuels and Water Supply Mark Bailey speak to us on their government’s position on energy and electricity prices.

What was disappointing for TSBE, the people who attended, and I think the community as a whole is that we have the situation where the federal and state governments are so diametrically opposed on policy that there is no clear sense of what the correct position should be.

We heard from one agricultural producer on the day that said in the last decade his electricity bill had risen by more than 350% when over that time governments of all persuasions have informed us that they are implementing measures to address it.

We heard from speakers including the likes of AGL, APLNG, New Hope Group, Hatch and Yarranlea Solar that ongoing uncertainty is leading to a lack of investment and confidence.

How on earth is the mere mortal on the street supposed to understand electricity and energy? The debate is complex and convoluted.

Things like climate change, the Paris climate accord, coal seam gas production, moratoriums on gas exploration and production by states like NSW and Victoria, renewables, emissions trading schemes, renewable targets and the age of coal fired power stations all leads us to a position where it is hard to understand what on earth is going on.

What we do know is that electricity prices have risen astronomically which is impacting both business and consumers alike. We need united and bi-partisan leadership to get to the bottom of this.

But it comes back to the same thing. We just want energy that is sustainable, affordable and reliable.

That really is the debate and it is a shame in this country that we have not had a national energy policy that everyone adopts. It has been hi-jacked by politics, industry, and environmental groups.

Of course, we could not let the opportunity pass without local mayors from the region talking about our capability. We are an exemplar to the rest of the country and we are happy to showcase what we have done, and how we can do more.

We are once again leading the way. We have coal and gas fired power stations in the region as well as great new wind, solar and bio-fuel projects underway, with many more in the pipeline.

There were a couple of great lines from the conference. Why, when we have the best natural resources on earth, are we not utilising those resources for our own advantage? Given those resources, we should have the most affordable, reliable and efficient energy systems on earth.

The other take away from me is that we need government to stop bickering, set some policy platforms and get out of the way so that industry can do what it does best – innovate, adapt and move forward.

❝ We just want energy that is sustainable, affordable and reliable.