4 years ago
LIBERALS’ ENERGY CRISIS CONTINUES
JIM CHALMERS MP
As a result of the chaotic Liberal Government, Australia is suffering through the worst energy crisis in decades, which has resulted in 16 energy policies and wholesale power prices rising 158 per cent since 2015.
The ‘Big Stick’ Bill will do nothing to provide the policy certainty needed to support investment in clean, reliable and affordable power, which lies at the heart of the energy crisis. As a result power prices will continue to go up and up and up.
During the last parliament Labor was critical of the ‘Big Stick’ Bill moved in that parliament - it risked doing harm, and it seriously risked the privatisation of state owned electricity generators.
We’re pleased to see the Government has made efforts to take our concerns seriously, and has introduced a new version of the Bill that rules out full privatisation, but Labor will continue to fight against any possibility of partial privatisation by amending the Bill in Parliament.
If successful, and given other improvements in the Bill such as an enhanced role for the ACCC and courts, Labor will support its passage.
But this Bill should not fool anyone; Scott Morrison’s Government still has no energy policy that will drive investment, reduce emission or cut power bills for struggling Australian households and businesses.
The ‘Big Stick’ Bill will do nothing to provide the policy certainty needed to support investment in clean, reliable and affordable power, which lies at the heart of the energy crisis. As a result power prices will continue to go up and up and up.
During the last parliament Labor was critical of the ‘Big Stick’ Bill moved in that parliament - it risked doing harm, and it seriously risked the privatisation of state owned electricity generators.
We’re pleased to see the Government has made efforts to take our concerns seriously, and has introduced a new version of the Bill that rules out full privatisation, but Labor will continue to fight against any possibility of partial privatisation by amending the Bill in Parliament.
If successful, and given other improvements in the Bill such as an enhanced role for the ACCC and courts, Labor will support its passage.
But this Bill should not fool anyone; Scott Morrison’s Government still has no energy policy that will drive investment, reduce emission or cut power bills for struggling Australian households and businesses.