Josh Dolega (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for the Environment and Water, Senator Watt. Figures released over the weekend show that renewable energy in Australia edged right up to 50 per cent of the national energy market for the month of October. This follows the figures in September, which was the first month in which renewables provided more electricity than coal. The Albanese Labor government's policies are obviously encouraging uptake in the cheapest and cleanest form of power generation. How many renewable projects have been approved since the government was elected in May 2022?

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

Thank you very much, Senator Dolega—who I know is a rational voice in this debate, which is fast becoming more irrational by the day. The facts show that the government's policies are encouraging a greater uptake in the cheapest and cleanest form of energy generation, that being renewables. In fact, for two months in a row—I hope you're sitting down now—renewable power has provided more electricity in Australia than coal. Are you okay? Are you okay after a few facts?

We're doing this through policies like the Capacity Investment Scheme and supporting the take-up of home batteries and community batteries at a massive scale, with the rebate program for home batteries experiencing incredible popularity. All of this means more clean and cheap energy generation across the country. The Australian Energy Market Operator quarterly figures showed a 27 per cent reduction in wholesale prices because of this record renewables penetration. That's right! Power prices would be higher under the Nationals policy of extending coal, let alone under nuclear power. Obviously, we've got more work to do to ensure that those reductions are flowing through to consumers, but it's good to see the impact that renewables are having on that wholesale price. Despite the best efforts of the coalition and, somewhat surprisingly, the Greens party, who also want to block renewables, our government is also supporting the rollout of renewables by ensuring they are approved in a timely fashion.

Since coming to office in May 2022, our government has approved 111 renewable energy projects across the country. That's enough to power every home in Australia and more. What a contrast that is to the energy policy trainwreck we see unfolding endlessly in the coalition, who, having produced I think it was 23 energy policies in government, are now approaching 30 in opposition. Now they're so divided they had to agree to not even talk about net zero in their party room today. (Time expired)

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

Senator Dolega, first supplementary?

Josh Dolega (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Whether it's the Capacity Investment Scheme, environmental law reform and the more than 110 renewable projects that have been approved since we came to government, it's certainly obvious to my community that the Albanese Labor government is committed to cheaper and cleaner energy. How is the government's consistent position on building more renewables and reducing emissions ensuring certainty in our energy market?

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

Thanks again, Senator Dolega. As they say, consistency is key. It's the key to providing the investment certainty needed to deliver cheaper and cleaner power, which is why the Albanese government has been consistent in supporting the net zero emissions by 2050 target. We want Australians to seize the economic opportunities from the renewable energy transition and, importantly, we want Australians to grab the jobs that this transition provides.

There are some opposite who get it—like Senator Bragg, who said today: 'Virtually every country has committed to net zero emissions. We would be a pariah state if we moved away from it.' Senator Bragg noted the countries opposed to net zero: Iran, Libya—and to this list we can now add the National Party. Senator Hume gets it—from up there on the backbench for the moment—and she had some sharp words directed at the person who dumped her from shadow cabinet. She said:

The most important thing now though is that the leader takes a position on energy policy—and does so with a matter of urgency.

A few more wise words from Senator Hume up the back. (Time expired)

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

Senator Dolega, second supplementary?

Josh Dolega (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

How are businesses in rural and regional Australia being supported from the approval of more clean and reliable energy generation, and what are the threats to this massive investment opportunity for rural and regional Australia?

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

You haven't mentioned Tomago.

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