❓ Mr. Nalder questions the Premier about renewable energy policies, referencing Climate Council calls and the Premier's previous statements. The Premier deflects, citing the Energy Minister's expertise and highlighting household renewable energy adoption, while accusing the opposition of hostility towards renewables.
AnsweredQoN 800Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
RENEWABLE ENERGY POLICY
800. Mr D.C. NALDER to the Premier:
I refer to the Premier's
comments yesterday about the Climate Council's calls for a state-based
renewable energy target. I quote —
''We have very strong policies
about renewable energy, to secure as much renewable energy in Western Australia
as possible,'' �
(1) Can the Premier confirm that the only renewable
energy policy he has is the privatisation of the state's renewable
energy assets; and, if not, will the Premier now outline to the house what
these strong policies are?
(2) What is the
Premier doing to secure as much renewable energy as possible in Western Australia?
800. Mr D.C. NALDER to the Premier:
I refer to the Premier's
comments yesterday about the Climate Council's calls for a state-based
renewable energy target. I quote —
''We have very strong policies
about renewable energy, to secure as much renewable energy in Western Australia
as possible,'' �
(1) Can the Premier confirm that the only renewable
energy policy he has is the privatisation of the state's renewable
energy assets; and, if not, will the Premier now outline to the house what
these strong policies are?
(2) What is the
Premier doing to secure as much renewable energy as possible in Western Australia?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) Mr
Speaker, the Minister for Energy is over there and I am sure that he could give
the member a more informed answer than I could give.
Dr M.D. Nahan :
Clearly.
Mr M. McGOWAN : It is true
that the minister is very knowledgeable about these issues and I am sure he
could give the member a more informed answer than I could. If the member for
Bateman was not so frightened of the minister—if he did not terrify the
member so much—the minister would be able to give him that answer!
Anyone who drives around the suburbs
of Western Australia will see that renewable energy is being taken up by
households everywhere. It is happening all over Western Australia. Every single
day, there is a greater take-up of renewable energy in our state and we support
that. If members go to any suburb in Perth or any town in regional Western Australia,
they will find huge amounts of renewable energy being put in by ordinary
households. They will also find that Synergy is working, as was announced
earlier this year, or last year—I think the member might be a bit
behind the times—to secure more renewable energy in Western Australia
and a bigger footprint of renewable energy. We are seeking to comply with our
national obligations, which I understand are around 26 per cent renewables.
Renewable energy is being taken up and I support it. From members of the
Liberal and National Parties we find a sort of objection to renewable energy.
There is hatred of renewable energy. I watch the national media and constant
hostility is shown.
Several members interjected.
Mr M. McGOWAN : It is true!
The Liberals and Nationals are hostile to renewable energy. It is actually
quite appalling. I watched them get off the plane in Canberra and walk through
the airport bagging out renewable energy. There is a bizarre phenomenon of
Liberals and Nationals on a national basis having a hatred of renewable energy.
My side of Parliament supports the Paris Agreement on climate change. We
support the Kyoto Protocol. We believe that climate change is a real thing that
the entire world needs to deal with. Before the state election, we said that for this term of Parliament, we would
not have a state renewable energy target. If Bill Shorten is elected Prime
Minister of Australia, there will be an increase in the national target and we
will be bound like any other state.
If
I can just close on one thing, Mr Speaker: we are putting in place Metronet and
Metronet is about getting people out of their cars. Like we put in place the
Perth–Mandurah rail line last time we were in government and the
Joondalup rail line the time before that, like we reopened the Fremantle rail
line, like we are rebuilding the Australind —
Point of Order
Mr D.C.
NALDER : Mr Speaker, I refer to standing order 94 and the relevance
to the question about renewable energy policies.
Ms J.J. Shaw interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Swan Hills, you have spoiled the perfect day!
Ms J.J. Shaw interjected.
The SPEAKER : You are called
to order for the second time, member for Swan Hills. I had a clean sheet!
Mr D.C. NALDER : I have a supplementary
question; I believe the Premier might be finished. The question was directed at
the Premier because of his comments —
Mr M. McGowan : I had not
finished!
Mr D.C. NALDER : Good!
The SPEAKER : Are you —
Mr M.
McGOWAN : Now I have, Mr Speaker!
Speaker, the Minister for Energy is over there and I am sure that he could give
the member a more informed answer than I could give.
Dr M.D. Nahan :
Clearly.
Mr M. McGOWAN : It is true
that the minister is very knowledgeable about these issues and I am sure he
could give the member a more informed answer than I could. If the member for
Bateman was not so frightened of the minister—if he did not terrify the
member so much—the minister would be able to give him that answer!
Anyone who drives around the suburbs
of Western Australia will see that renewable energy is being taken up by
households everywhere. It is happening all over Western Australia. Every single
day, there is a greater take-up of renewable energy in our state and we support
that. If members go to any suburb in Perth or any town in regional Western Australia,
they will find huge amounts of renewable energy being put in by ordinary
households. They will also find that Synergy is working, as was announced
earlier this year, or last year—I think the member might be a bit
behind the times—to secure more renewable energy in Western Australia
and a bigger footprint of renewable energy. We are seeking to comply with our
national obligations, which I understand are around 26 per cent renewables.
Renewable energy is being taken up and I support it. From members of the
Liberal and National Parties we find a sort of objection to renewable energy.
There is hatred of renewable energy. I watch the national media and constant
hostility is shown.
Several members interjected.
Mr M. McGOWAN : It is true!
The Liberals and Nationals are hostile to renewable energy. It is actually
quite appalling. I watched them get off the plane in Canberra and walk through
the airport bagging out renewable energy. There is a bizarre phenomenon of
Liberals and Nationals on a national basis having a hatred of renewable energy.
My side of Parliament supports the Paris Agreement on climate change. We
support the Kyoto Protocol. We believe that climate change is a real thing that
the entire world needs to deal with. Before the state election, we said that for this term of Parliament, we would
not have a state renewable energy target. If Bill Shorten is elected Prime
Minister of Australia, there will be an increase in the national target and we
will be bound like any other state.
If
I can just close on one thing, Mr Speaker: we are putting in place Metronet and
Metronet is about getting people out of their cars. Like we put in place the
Perth–Mandurah rail line last time we were in government and the
Joondalup rail line the time before that, like we reopened the Fremantle rail
line, like we are rebuilding the Australind —
Point of Order
Mr D.C.
NALDER : Mr Speaker, I refer to standing order 94 and the relevance
to the question about renewable energy policies.
Ms J.J. Shaw interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Swan Hills, you have spoiled the perfect day!
Ms J.J. Shaw interjected.
The SPEAKER : You are called
to order for the second time, member for Swan Hills. I had a clean sheet!
Mr D.C. NALDER : I have a supplementary
question; I believe the Premier might be finished. The question was directed at
the Premier because of his comments —
Mr M. McGowan : I had not
finished!
Mr D.C. NALDER : Good!
The SPEAKER : Are you —
Mr M.
McGOWAN : Now I have, Mr Speaker!
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