Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

ALBANESE (—) (): I thank the Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party for her question. It goes to the issue of the cost of power in this country. What we know is that the cheapest form of new energy is renewables. We know that and business knows that, and that's why our plan for cheaper, cleaner energy is supported by the Business Council of Australia, but opposed by those opposite; supported by the Australian Industry Group, but opposed by those opposite; supported by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, but opposed by those opposite; supported by the Clean Energy Council, but opposed by those opposite; and supported by businesses, including investor groups. They all understand that Australia has the potential to be a renewable energy superpower.

Individuals in their electorates, as well as in those represented on this side of the House, know that it makes economic sense to put solar panels on their roofs—not just to protect the environment but because it lowers people's power bills. You make the capital investment and then your power bills go down, therefore it is economically rational to do that. And it is that principle, extrapolated across the economy, that will do it.

Today, indeed, we had a very significant announcement by the Queensland Premier: the Queensland energy jobs plan, with the biggest pumped hydro scheme in the world; ramping up rooftop solar and batteries; building a super grid to connect solar, wind, battery and hydrogen generators across the state; and creating thousands of jobs in regional Australia. And what—

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