Matthew Canavan (Queensland, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Senator Ayres. AEMO estimates that increases of up to 55 per cent for overhead transmission line projects are likely, compared to its 2024 integrated system plan. AEMO has stated:

… increases in costs for electricity transmission network development would impact bills for electricity consumers.

Minister, given that electricity prices and bills have increased by more than $1,000 under Labor, how much more will families pay to deliver your government's 82 per cent renewable energy target?

Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Industry and Innovation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Canavan was the member of the then government who pointed out that electricity prices for industrial energy users went up by 91 per cent under the last government. We certainly won't be taking lectures on energy policy from the supporters of the former government, who had a decade of dysfunction and disinvestment which has had profound impacts for Australian industry.

What industry and households can be certain of is that a certain plan that's focused on investment certainty will deliver a much better outcome.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Canavan, first supplementary?

Matthew Canavan (Queensland, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I note that the minister did not talk once about the government's future plans. Australians need to understand the government does not have a plan for their futures. On 24 September 2022, the minister advised that Australia would need to install 22,000 solar panels every day and 40 wind turbines every month to reach the government's targets. Can the minister advise now how many solar panels and wind turbines have been installed since that time?

Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Industry and Innovation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Australians are the biggest adopters of solar technology on their rooftops because it's in the interests of their electricity bills. It's saving them thousands of dollars every year. And it turns out that—you know the other thing we're big adopters of? Batteries? Tens of thousands of batteries are being installed every month.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Canavan, second supplementary?

Matthew Canavan (Queensland, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

They can't even last more than 20 seconds to talk about their energy policies. They have absolutely nothing here. I ask the minister again: has the minister undertaken modelling of how many hectares of agricultural land will be taken up and impacted by the 95 renewable energy projects so far approved by this government?

Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Industry and Innovation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The modelling I was most interested in was the one that you did last term when you covered your face in coal dust, pretending to be a coalminer!

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Faruqi?

Order! Senator McKenzie, you are being disrespectful. I have called Senator Faruqi. She is to be heard in silence.