Report after report has now confirmed Labor’s extreme 50 per cent renewable energy target will cost jobs, cause energy insecurity and increase electricity prices.
LNP Leader Tim Nicholls said the latest alarming report – by the Australian Institute of Progress – had found Labor’s 50 per cent renewable energy target would result in the closure of Queensland’s coal-fired power stations from next year.
“Workers will be left stranded, electricity prices will increase and Queenslanders will be left in the dark with more blackouts,” Mr Nicholls said.
“It’s lights out under Labor.
“Not only the power station workers, but the workers in coal mines will also lose their jobs if Queensland’s coal-fired power stations are forced to close.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk is putting Greens preferences ahead of workers at the Tarong and Gladstone power stations.
“Labor’s own Queensland Productivity Commission found Annastacia Palaszczuk’s renewable energy target would cost existing Queensland generators over $6 billion.”
Mr 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
Labor’s Expert Panel on Renewable Energy
