Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Environment and Water) Share this | Hansard source

Thanks, Senator Dolega. I'm happy to mention Tomago. Why did the owners of Tomago say that they were now consulting about potentially shutting down? Because they couldn't get enough renewable power. They couldn't get enough renewable power because coal fired power was too expensive. You people have your heads so far under the ground that you can't hear anything. You can't even hear it when the owners of these companies say that it's your policies that are endangering the jobs in heavy industry right across the country.

If you'd only open your eyes, you would know that renewables are not only keeping the lights on as coal plants reach the end of their technical lives but they're also creating jobs and alternative income streams and benefits right across the Australian communities. If you actually speak to farmers rather than organising protests amongst them you will know that farmers are earning a significant income stream from hosting renewable energy projects alongside their existing farming activities. There are sheep farmers right now who are building solar farms alongside their sheep farms, and you should start listening to them. (Time expired)