Ted O'Brien (Fairfax, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question goes to the Prime Minister. The government's budget has disproven the RepuTex modelling behind Labor's Powering Australia energy plan. I note that over the weekend the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water removed reference to that modelling from its website. Since Treasury and the department don't trust Labor's modelling, why should the Australian people?

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Members on my left will cease interjecting. The member for Fairfax was heard—

The Leader of the Nationals! The member for Fairfax was heard in silence, so will be the minister. I give him the call.

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

I thank the honourable member for the question about modelling. Yes, the modelling commissioned by the Labor Party when in opposition is very important, because it underlines the fact that renewable energy is the cheapest form of energy. It underlines the fact that renewable energy will create jobs across our country.

Now, we understand that. Any sensible economist understands that. Those opposite are still struggling with that. They're still struggling with it. They think that the cheapest form of energy is nuclear.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Member for Fairfax! The member for Fairfax has asked his question.

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

The Leader of the Opposition was asked the other week about nuclear energy being more expensive and he said, 'No, no, no. That's an assertion by Chris Bowen. It's not supported by the facts from Europe or North America.'

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Fairfax is warned.

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

Now, the Leader of the Opposition is onto me. He's onto me. I did call the CSIRO and the Australian Energy Market Operator regarding the GenCost report and asked them to write that nuclear energy is the most expensive form of energy. And then I got onto Stanford University and I asked them. Then I got onto Harvard University and I asked them. Then I got onto the International Energy Agency and I asked them. Then I got onto the international nuclear report and I asked them. These are all groups who say that nuclear energy is the most expensive form of energy, but it has passed by the Leader of the Opposition.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Member for O'Connor, I'm trying to hear from the Manager of Opposition Business.

Paul Fletcher (Bradfield, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Government Services and the Digital Economy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, my point of order is on relevance. You have previously asked a minister to return to a question because he's 'had a preamble'. The minister has had a preamble. He needs to answer the question: why has the modelling been taken down from the website?

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question contained more than that one component. I'm listening carefully to the minister, and I ask him to return to the question specifically regarding the modelling.

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

We're happy to talk about modelling.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Fairfax!

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

I look forward to the opposition releasing modelling on the impact of nuclear energy on power prices. I look forward to the opposition releasing information as to where the nuclear power plants will go. Will it be in Yeppoon or in Yeppen? Where will it be, Mr Speaker! That's what we want to know. The LNP says 'local nuclear power plant'.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Fairfax was warned numerous times. He will now leave the chamber under 94(a).

The member for Fairfax then left the chamber.