Alison Byrnes (Cunningham, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Renewables are the cheapest form of power, and we simply will not bring down electricity prices without transitioning to a renewable energy future. Only a Labor government will achieve this, and it is already underway. Since we came to government we have approved 123 renewable energy projects, enough to power more than five million households, and potentially reducing emissions by more than 30 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. That's the same as taking nine million cars off the road. For the first time, renewables supplied more electricity across Australia than coal-fired power generation, and the wholesale electricity price in the national electricity market has fallen by 14 per cent. This is not an accident. It is the result of a government with a defined purpose and a plan to achieve it.

One of the many programs supporting communities to lower emissions and power bills is the Cheaper Home Batteries Program. My community in the Illawarra has proven that we want to drive this energy transition and has enthusiastically embraced this program. As of 18 January, my electorate of Cunningham now has 1,568 new small-scale batteries, which will provide 36,595 kilowatt-hours of capacity. I wanted to share some stories from local people about the difference that it's making to their lives and to their back pockets.

Karen from Corrimal says: 'I took advantage of the Labor government's Cheaper Home Batteries Program and added a battery to our existing solar panels. I'm enjoying not paying for electricity and having my bill in credit as a result of feeding back into the grid.' However, for Karen, the best thing was when the Australian Energy Market Operator announced that the renewables share in the last quarter rose above 50 per cent. She said, 'I was proud to contribute to that, albeit in a very small way.'

Louis from the George Cross Falcons Community Centre in Cringila, said: 'Two years ago our association, under a federal program, received funding for the installation of solar panels. Last October, we ordered a 40 kilowatt battery subsidised by the Labor government. The first bill for 92 days was $117, noting that there were a few weeks of rain during the billing period.' The club applauds this government for the subsidised battery, otherwise their association would not have been able to afford it.

Luke, a vet from Fairy Meadow, said: 'I started a new veterinary hospital in April 2025 in Fairy Meadow and had solar panels installed before we opened. This meant our bills were $350 per month instead of being two to three times more than that. We had a large battery installed under the scheme in September, and now our bills are less than $100 per month. Even more important for us is that we could still operate normally when we had two blackouts, as the battery took over. Normally a blackout means it's hard to see our patients, which costs the business but, more importantly, makes it hard to treat our patients when they need it.' Luke said the battery has been so successful that he's gotten one at home now as well.

Brendan from Figtree said: 'In September I installed a 49 kilowatt battery to complement our existing large solar system, and we joined a VPP. Both through the rebate and the market competition it has created, I saved nearly $18,000 on the installation. Our last quarterly bill before the battery was $900 and our first with the battery was a $600 refund.' That saved them $1,500 over the quarter. He said, 'Having the battery has future proofed our home and kept the lights on during several recent blackouts.'

Then there's David from Woonona, who said: 'I took advantage of the Albanese government's Cheaper Home Batteries scheme in July and I haven't paid for electricity since. I'm happy to be feeding electricity back to the grid using a VPP and am grateful for the Minns government's support as well. Thanks to both policies, I can make a difference to the environment.'

Then we have Thomas from Berkeley, who said: 'I used the program to install solar and batteries for the first time and was really impressed with both how much money I have saved and how much excess energy I have contributed to my local VPP. With the tools they give you it's possible to see not only how much money you're saving but also how much carbon you are not contributing to the environment. I have saved money and reduced my impact on the environment, all thanks to the Albanese government.'

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