Chris Bowen (McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Energy) Share this | Hansard source

You interject enough for the entire parliament, so don't you worry about that. I appreciate the support of the honourable members on this side; they're very supportive. The opposition opposed Rewiring the Nation, which every single energy chief executive, including Frank Calabria as late as today, has pointed out is absolutely vital for encouraging new investment. In relation to capacity, the honourable member asked me what we are doing about Liddell and about capacity generally—interesting given the closure of Liddell was announced—

An honourable member interjecting—

You did mention Liddell.

An honourable member: In light of Liddell, what are you—

You mentioned Liddell.

An honourable member: It is not a conversation.

He specifically asked me about Liddell and then it went on several questions later. It is fair to ask about it. We will deal with both. Relax. It is okay. I will get to it all. In relation to Liddell, the closure was announced in 2015 and confirmed in 2017, and the shadow minister is very concerned about it in 2023. They did not have much to say in 2015 and 2017, apart from the member for New England, who was Deputy Prime Minister at the time, who said they were going to nationalise it but that did not happen.

In relation to coal-fired power stations generally, I am very pleased to advise the member opposite that this winter there are 2.3 gigawatts more dispensable energy available than there were last winter. You, Madam Deputy Speaker Payne, and the House will recall the crisis last winter which this government inherited. Literally the day we were sworn in, I was getting advice that the energy system was in crisis. That is what the previous government left. We avoided blackouts. We avoided load shedding. It was a whole-of-government effort. We had to work very closely with state and territory colleagues. AEMO did an excellent job. Because the previous government presided over a situation where we had four gigawatts of dispatchable power leave the grid over the decade and one gigawatt came on, we were faced with a crisis. I am very pleased to update the member. I am sure he was not aware of the 2.3 gigawatts. If he chooses to look at AEMO's recent statements about winter readiness, I am sure he would find them elucidating.

An honourable member interjecting—

I can confirm: no nuclear reactors.

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