Hon Sophie McNeill questions the Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation regarding urgent steps taken to secure energy supplies in Punmu following a power failure and diphtheria outbreak, and actions to transition remote communities off diesel power.

AnsweredQoN 503Legislative Council
Asked
11 June 2026
Portfolio
Energy and Decarbonisation

QuestionView source ↗

Punmu—Diesel-power
503. Hon Sophie McNeill to the Leader of the House
representing the Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation:
I refer to media
reports of a spike in cases of diphtheria in the remote community of Punmu that
has coincided with a power failure in this community. I note that Punmu still
relies solely on diesel-powered generation.
(1) What
urgent steps has the department taken to secure energy supplies to this
community, noting that medical oxygen had to be powered using a caravan
generator during the recent power outage?
(2) In
the last three months, what action has been taken to transition the more than
100 remote communities in Western Australia like Punmu off unreliable diesel
power?

AnswerView source ↗

What
is with the attitude?
Hon Sophie McNeill interjected.
The President: Order.
Hon Stephen Dawson: I do not have an answer to provide
her.

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