Rebekha Sharkie (Mayo, Centre Alliance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. The department's FOI response on selection criteria for the Community Batteries for Household Solar grants program stated: 'The selections were determined by the Australian Labor Party while in opposition, prior to the May 2022 federal election. The department was not involved in these decisions and therefore has no records or documents to show the criteria applied to processes involved in making and approving the eligible selection locations.' How is this difference to sports rorts, minister?

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 her question, but I must say, with respect to the honourable member, that it would have been rather surprising if the Department of Climate Change and Energy were involved in election commitments we made from opposition. I'm not quite sure how that would have worked!

These were election commitments for 58 community batteries out of a program of 400 and, yes, they were election commitments that will be delivered. I'm happy to report to the honourable member that the process of determining the service providers who will deliver those 58 is well in advance. The Business Grants Hub in the Department of Industry, Science and Resources has called for tenders; those tenders have closed and those bids are being considered.

In relation to the rest of the batteries—the rest of the 400—I am very pleased to inform the honourable member that ARENA, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, will be calling for tenders and calling for bids and expressions of interest from communities and network service providers as to which communities should host the rest of those batteries.

Yes, oppositions make election commitments—yes, we do. Governments, when elected, then deliver on those election commitments. So those 58 sites will be delivered and the rest of those sites are open for tender from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency. That tender will start in the first week of April, I'm very pleased to advise the honourable member.

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

The minister has concluded his answer; is the member for Mayo seeking the call?

Rebekha Sharkie (Mayo, Centre Alliance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to table the FOI report.

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I presume that if it's an FOI report it's already public, so leave is not granted.

Opposition members interjecting—

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

Order! Members on my left will cease interjecting immediately so that I can hear the member for Calwell.