Helen Haines (Indi, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to oppose the Repeal Net Zero Bill 2025. First introduced by the member for New England in his individual capacity, this is now the official stance of the coalition. This bill would unravel Australia's emissions reduction framework without putting anything else in place. It would close the Net Zero Economy Authority, which supports the workforce transition across regional Australia. It would repeal vehicle efficiency standards that drive down fuel costs. Turning away from renewables would jeopardise almost $10 billion in direct payments to farmers and landholders by 2050. It would rob regional communities and councils of another $1.9 billion in community benefit-sharing programs. It would threaten the thousands of jobs expected to be created in the next five years. There is no alternative proposal nor positive vision for the future—just repeal, rescind and omit.

This bill is a missed opportunity to make sure Australia's path to net zero delivers substantial, tangible and lasting benefit to regional and rural communities such as those that I represent. I support the transition to a net zero economy, but not blindly. It must be done with regional and rural development front of mind. That's why, when I identified serious deficiencies in the community engagement on renewable infrastructure projects, I didn't just stand on the sidelines. I went to the government and I worked with the minister to secure the Dyer review, which is helping shape best practice and will ultimately lead to community benefit.

In Indi and across regional Australia, people are ready to share in the benefits of the energy transition. These are communities who want fair warning, fair process and fair intergenerational community benefit. Their demands for meaningful engagement should not be contorted into blanket opposition, because there is support. Recent polling shows strong support for the transition to renewable energy across regional Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales, including in New England. The member for New England may be interested to know that the majority of respondents in his own electorate support Australia shifting to renewable energy and agree that investment in renewables will be a good thing for regional Australia. While the member for New England says no to net zero, his own constituents are actually saying yes. The energy transition is an opportunity for regional Australia. Many of us in this chamber represent regional towns whose origins trace all the way back to the gold rush. Australia's unique geography drove a wave of prosperity that changed our nation's fortunes and future.

Today, regional Australia is on the cusp of another gold rush, powered not by what is under the ground but by the energy sources of the 21st century: solar, wind and hydro. Dynamic regional communities are seizing the opportunities. One of the largest local governments in New England, the Armidale Regional Council, is establishing a multimillion-dollar future fund to put revenue from renewable energy straight back into the community. Rural Goorambat in my electorate has secured support for a new mobile phone tower as well as a $2 million community benefit fund, and Hay Shire Council has negotiated community benefits amounting to $26 million over the next 30 years for one of its projects.

I want all communities contributing to the transition to share in the benefit. In 2021, we were told:

We cannot pretend the world is not changing.

We were warned:

If we do, we run the risk of stranding jobs … especially in regional areas.

Who said that? It was the Morrison government's then minister for energy and emissions reduction, the member for Hume. He was right; we cannot pretend that the world is not changing. Business and industry have made it clear they want policy certainties, not U-turns. Last week the Australian Energy Council released a survey confirming that the sector is committed to net zero. CEOs agree it is too late to turn back.

It's been a little over a week since the Leader of the Opposition confirmed the coalition had abandoned net zero. I say this to my northern neighbour, the member for Farrer: it's not too late to reconsider. Instead of denial and division, I invite the coalition to bring constructive policies to the table. I invite the National Party to consider how to best promote the interests of their communities. I should not be the only regional MP pushing to make sure net zero works for regional Australia and results in intergenerational net benefit.

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