4 years ago
MORRISON’S INFRASTRUCTURE FAILINGS DELIVER HIGHER POWER PRICES
MARK BUTLER MP
Prime Minister Morrison’s infrastructure failings on energy join his failings on transport and the NBN.
Infrastructure Australia’s 2019 audit of future infrastructure needs confirms what the Finkel Review, the Energy Security Board, AEMO, Industry, experts, states and investors have been saying for years; the Liberal Government’s inability to deliver consistent national energy policy is stifling investment and driving up costs for households and businesses.
Infrastructure Australia notes:
“Concerns about uncertainty expressed by Infrastructure Australia in the 2015 Audit persist into this Audit. The National Electricity Market, and the institutions which support its operation, have continued in the absence of decisive federal leadership. As a result, uncertainty on energy or emissions policy remain.
Uncertainty prevents timely investment in long-term infrastructure such as electricity generation and gas pipelines, increasing risks and costs to users.
In the absence of a settled policy to deliver on Australia’s 2030 international commitments and the role of energy within it, uncertainty risks further driving up costs.”
This Government’s inability to take a sensible approach to energy policy, which acknowledges the challenge of cutting emissions and supporting renewable energy, is driving up energy prices.
Their inability to deliver national policy leadership has seen no COAG Energy Council meeting being held this year, even though such meetings are meant to occur twice a year.
Until the Morrison Government stands up to the climate deniers in its own ranks, Australians can expect higher power prices, lower reliability and rising carbon pollution.
Infrastructure Australia’s 2019 audit of future infrastructure needs confirms what the Finkel Review, the Energy Security Board, AEMO, Industry, experts, states and investors have been saying for years; the Liberal Government’s inability to deliver consistent national energy policy is stifling investment and driving up costs for households and businesses.
Infrastructure Australia notes:
“Concerns about uncertainty expressed by Infrastructure Australia in the 2015 Audit persist into this Audit. The National Electricity Market, and the institutions which support its operation, have continued in the absence of decisive federal leadership. As a result, uncertainty on energy or emissions policy remain.
Uncertainty prevents timely investment in long-term infrastructure such as electricity generation and gas pipelines, increasing risks and costs to users.
In the absence of a settled policy to deliver on Australia’s 2030 international commitments and the role of energy within it, uncertainty risks further driving up costs.”
This Government’s inability to take a sensible approach to energy policy, which acknowledges the challenge of cutting emissions and supporting renewable energy, is driving up energy prices.
Their inability to deliver national policy leadership has seen no COAG Energy Council meeting being held this year, even though such meetings are meant to occur twice a year.
Until the Morrison Government stands up to the climate deniers in its own ranks, Australians can expect higher power prices, lower reliability and rising carbon pollution.