Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington says the report confirming Labor’s 50 per cent renewable energy target will close power stations in Queensland is seriously bad news for Tarong Power Station and the South Burnett community.
Mrs Frecklington said the alarming report, – by the Australian Institute of Progress – has found Tarong Power Station would be forced to close as early as 2018/19.
“This report confirms what we have suspected for a while now, Labor’s 50 per cent renewable energy target would result in the closure of Queensland’s coal-fired power stations from next year,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“The South Burnett relies on Stanwell’s Tarong Power Station and Meandu Mine. What we are seeing here is Annastacia Palaszczuk putting Greens preferences ahead of our workers and our community.
“It’s lights out under Labor.
LNP Leader of the Opposition, Tim Nicholls said Labor’s reckless renewable energy rush would cost more than $10.8 billion in subsidies – yet more subsidies that taxpayers and households could not afford.
“The Expert Panel Labor established on renewable energy also found Labor’s policy would cost jobs,” Mr Nicholls said.
“Labor’s Expert Panel found ‘the projected gain in renewable energy jobs is less than the projected loss of other electricity sector jobs’.
“Only the LNP has a plan to deliver cheaper electricity and save households $780 over the next three years.
“We will write down the regulated asset base to lower network costs.
“We will increase competition in the wholesale electricity market by restructuring the Government-owned generators from two to three.
“We will support the National Energy Guarantee, saving households $300 a year compared to Labor’s 50 per cent renewable energy target.
“We will build a high-efficiency, low emissions coal-fired power station with the private sector in North Queensland.
“A secret Palaszczuk Government report has found a HELE coal-fired power will lower electricity prices, increase supply, boost energy security and create jobs.
“Only the LNP has a credible electricity plan – not a policy based on idiocy and ideology.”
Queensland Productivity Commission Electricity Pricing Report 2016 – Page 81
“Generators in Queensland would experience a decrease in total earnings of around $6.2 billion or 15 per cent.”
“The Queensland Government, as owner of the majority of carbon generators in Queensland, would incur the largest financial cost.”
Labor’s Expert Panel on Renewable Energy
From Labor’s own renewable energy report “the projected gain in renewable energy jobs is less than the projected loss of other electricity sector jobs” – page 117
Labor’s renewable energy expert panel report
