Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Hansard source

The government is committed to assisting business as we move to a clean energy economy. The government has announced that under the Energy Security Fund cash payments, $27.7 million will be provided this financial year for the generation complex. The Clean Energy Regulator is currently assessing applications for further assistance for energy generators in the form of free carbon units. That could result in additional assistance for the Energy Brix generation complex. I am advised the government will continue to work with HRL and its customers to help them manage a transition to a more sustainable energy supply. We also recognise that there are some regions and communities which may face more significant impacts than others and the senator may recall that the government set aside $200 million under the Regional Structural Adjustment Assistance Program in recognition of that fact. For identified regions assistance will be delivered through arrangements which engage the three levels of government—state, territory and local—as well as community groups and unions.