❓ Question regarding the Minister's decision to spend $330 million on refurbishing Muja Power Stations instead of investing in alternative industries in Collie. The Minister defends the decision, highlighting the questioner's previous support for the refurbishment.
AnsweredQoN 223Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
MUJA POWER STATIONS
223. Mr M.P. MURRAY to the Minister for
Energy:
I ask a supplementary question. Why
did the minister pour $330 million down the drain rather than invest in a long-term
alternative industry in Collie?
223. Mr M.P. MURRAY to the Minister for
Energy:
I ask a supplementary question. Why
did the minister pour $330 million down the drain rather than invest in a long-term
alternative industry in Collie?
AnswerView source ↗
The money was spent on refurbishing
Muja A and B. That is something that the member supported regularly, and now he
is criticising us for it! The member for Collie–Preston repeatedly
argued for the reopening of Muja A and B. Did you not, member?
Mr
F.M. Logan interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Cockburn! Through the Chair, please; quick answer.
Dr
M.D. NAHAN : The simple fact is that the member for Collie–Preston
never wanted the plant to be mothballed in the first place. He argued, quite
rightly, that it be brought on to rescue the state and Varanus Island, and then
argued repeatedly that it should be brought on and refurbished. There is no
doubt that the refurbishment cost a lot more than expected, but the act of
refurbishment was supported by the member for Collie–Preston all the
way down the line.
Mr
M.P. Murray : Come down to Collie and speak to the Collie community!
Dr
M.D. NAHAN : I think the member should do that. He should explain why he is
now arguing that we should close down Muja A and B forthwith. I remind him that
Muja A and B is one of, if not the most, profitable plant in Synergy's
mix. I might add—this is a little secret for the other side—that
if Mr Shorten became Prime Minister, God help us, most of our coal would be
shut down due to his 50 per cent renewable target by 2030. The Labor Party is
the enemy of coal, not us.
Muja A and B. That is something that the member supported regularly, and now he
is criticising us for it! The member for Collie–Preston repeatedly
argued for the reopening of Muja A and B. Did you not, member?
Mr
F.M. Logan interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Cockburn! Through the Chair, please; quick answer.
Dr
M.D. NAHAN : The simple fact is that the member for Collie–Preston
never wanted the plant to be mothballed in the first place. He argued, quite
rightly, that it be brought on to rescue the state and Varanus Island, and then
argued repeatedly that it should be brought on and refurbished. There is no
doubt that the refurbishment cost a lot more than expected, but the act of
refurbishment was supported by the member for Collie–Preston all the
way down the line.
Mr
M.P. Murray : Come down to Collie and speak to the Collie community!
Dr
M.D. NAHAN : I think the member should do that. He should explain why he is
now arguing that we should close down Muja A and B forthwith. I remind him that
Muja A and B is one of, if not the most, profitable plant in Synergy's
mix. I might add—this is a little secret for the other side—that
if Mr Shorten became Prime Minister, God help us, most of our coal would be
shut down due to his 50 per cent renewable target by 2030. The Labor Party is
the enemy of coal, not us.
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