Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Hansard source

The coalition government is a strong advocate for Australia's abundant natural resources and critical mineral sectors, and the regional communities and jobs they support. That's why we established the Underwriting New Generation Investments program, to increase firm generation capacity with new coal, gas and hydro projects, and funded a feasibility study into a high-efficiency, low-emissions coal-fired power station in Collinsville. Our policy is to support a new gas-fired generator in the Hunter Valley, because it will provide the flexible generation we need now to secure our electricity grid. A new gas generator can be approved by the state government and be operational more quickly, creating jobs and putting downward pressure on prices as soon as possible. We agree with the ACCC recommendation that the federal government underwrite new energy generation projects that will help to deliver affordable, reliable power for Australian consumers.