❓ Dr. Nahan questions the government's plan to protect WA from the perceived negative impacts of Federal Labor's renewable energy policies. Minister Johnston responds by outlining the government's commitment to accommodating renewable energy and criticises Dr. Nahan's inconsistent stance.
AnsweredQoN 213Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
RENEWABLE ENERGY TARGETS —
FEDERAL LABOR POLICY
213. Dr M.D. NAHAN to the Minister for Energy:
I have a supplementary question.
Given the devastating impact that Bill Shorten's policies will have on
the Western Australian economy, jobs and electricity prices, what is the
minister's government doing to protect Western Australians from Bill
Shorten; or does it not have a plan?
FEDERAL LABOR POLICY
213. Dr M.D. NAHAN to the Minister for Energy:
I have a supplementary question.
Given the devastating impact that Bill Shorten's policies will have on
the Western Australian economy, jobs and electricity prices, what is the
minister's government doing to protect Western Australians from Bill
Shorten; or does it not have a plan?
AnswerView source ↗
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Ms J.J. Shaw interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Swan
Hills, your minister is on his feet!
Mr W.J. JOHNSTON : What I am
going to do for the people of Western Australia is have a credible plan. We are
going to make sure that a drive to renewable energy is accommodated in our
network. That is the only future that exists. The Leader of the Opposition knew
it when he was sitting in this chair. When he was sitting here, that is what he
said. It should not be news to him, because he used to go to conferences and
say those things. I do not understand why the member for Riverton changes his
opinion when he changes chairs.
Dr M.D. Nahan interjected.
The SPEAKER : Leader of the
Opposition!
Mr
W.J. JOHNSTON : The member for
Riverton should stop doing this. He should start having a consistent long- term
view.
Dr M.D. Nahan interjected.
The SPEAKER : Leader of the
Opposition, I will not warn you again.
Mr W.J. JOHNSTON : Let me make
it clear—renewable energy is now the lowest cost form of energy
production in the world. That is a fact. It is a challenge for existing
generators. The fact is that renewable energy is now the cheapest. Another
fact, just as the member said when he was the Minister for Energy, is that
consumers are putting solar panels on their roofs in record numbers and it is
increasing. That has a technical impact on the system. To quote someone from
the Institute of Public Affairs or some other irrelevant organisation like that
does not help the debate in this state. I am going to do what the Premier of
the state always does and put the interests of Western Australians first.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Ms J.J. Shaw interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Swan
Hills, your minister is on his feet!
Mr W.J. JOHNSTON : What I am
going to do for the people of Western Australia is have a credible plan. We are
going to make sure that a drive to renewable energy is accommodated in our
network. That is the only future that exists. The Leader of the Opposition knew
it when he was sitting in this chair. When he was sitting here, that is what he
said. It should not be news to him, because he used to go to conferences and
say those things. I do not understand why the member for Riverton changes his
opinion when he changes chairs.
Dr M.D. Nahan interjected.
The SPEAKER : Leader of the
Opposition!
Mr
W.J. JOHNSTON : The member for
Riverton should stop doing this. He should start having a consistent long- term
view.
Dr M.D. Nahan interjected.
The SPEAKER : Leader of the
Opposition, I will not warn you again.
Mr W.J. JOHNSTON : Let me make
it clear—renewable energy is now the lowest cost form of energy
production in the world. That is a fact. It is a challenge for existing
generators. The fact is that renewable energy is now the cheapest. Another
fact, just as the member said when he was the Minister for Energy, is that
consumers are putting solar panels on their roofs in record numbers and it is
increasing. That has a technical impact on the system. To quote someone from
the Institute of Public Affairs or some other irrelevant organisation like that
does not help the debate in this state. I am going to do what the Premier of
the state always does and put the interests of Western Australians first.
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