MEDIA RELEASE

A WEEK ON THERE ARE UNANSWERED QUESTIONS FOR PETER DUTTON

Saturday, 21 December 2024

The Albanese Government inherited a mess of an energy grid. After a decade of denial, delay, and dysfunction under the Coalition, Australians are paying the price of an ageing, unreliable and expensive energy grid that’s overexposed to international price spikes.

Under the former Government four gigawatts of energy left the grid, only to be replaced by one gigawatt. The Albanese Government isn’t making the same mistake, we’ve delivered the equivalent of three Snowy Hydros in new energy to meet our nation’s growing energy needs.

In two and a half years we’ve made significant progress in better protecting Australian homes and businesses in the long term, while ensuring immediate relief is available. We have:

• Delivered urgent energy relief, taking $300 off household bills this year
• Achieved 42% renewables in the national energy grid, and as more comes online it will push down bills
• Unlocked a new milestone for reliable renewables, with more than 4 million rooftop solar installations in Australia, securing energy independence and cheaper energy for households

In contrast we’ve seen Peter Dutton vote against immediate cost of living relief and stand in the way of long-term energy security. His botched nuclear scheme is the latest in a series of reckless announcements that show just how risky a government he leads would be. Peter Dutton hasn’t revealed his plan for bringing down bills, but experts have said nuclear would push household bills up $1200.

Peter Dutton’s nuclear scheme is too slow, too expensive and too risky for Australia. He hasn’t thought this through.

It’s been eight days since Peter Dutton revealed more of his nuclear scheme, but Australians are still none the wiser about what his plans mean for their bills, higher taxes and what services he’d cut to fund it all.

These are the key questions Mr Dutton must answer:

1. Nuclear energy is the most expensive form of energy. Can he guarantee power bills will be cheaper in a grid dominated by nuclear?
2. 1 in 3 homes have rooftop solar. How will he compensate those households when nuclear forces their power off and trashes their investment?
3. How will he pay for the nuclear reactors? What will the cost be to everyday Australians and will he rule out cutting services to fund it?
4. Given international experience of cost delays and over-runs, what is the contingency plan for energy security when nuclear plants aren’t delivered on time?
5. How much will it cost to compulsorily acquire the seven coal-fired power stations where he plans to build his nuclear reactors? And will he shut down new projects and jobs already being built on some sites like in Port Augusta and Liddell?
6. How will the party that couldn’t deliver a commuter carpark near a train station or a watt of electricity under their UNGI scheme, build and then operate nuclear reactors in record time?

END

Media contact: Minister Bowen’s office – Bowenmedia@dcceew.gov.au