Andrew Leigh

THE HON MARK BUTLER MP

SHADOW MINISTER CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENERGY

MEMBER FOR PORT ADELAIDE 

 

ANDREW LEIGH MP

SHADOW ASSISTANT TREASURER

SHADOW MINISTER FOR COMPETITION AND PRODUCTIVITY

SHADOW MINISTER FOR CHARITIES AND NOT-FOR-PROFITS

SHADOW MINISTER FOR TRADE IN SERVICES

MEMBER FOR FENNER

Labor has been calling for the ACCC to investigate electricity prices for a long time, so we welcome today's belated annoucement - but it's not enough.

After four years in Government – and wholesale electricity prices more than doubling during that period – this is really the best the Liberals can come up with?

Under Malcolm Turnbull, the energy crisis is getting worse, and Australians are paying the price. Power prices are up, pollution is up, and jobs are down. 

Australians know this investigation alone will not solve the nation’s immediate energy crisis.

As the Australian Energy Council (AEC) has recently said, “In Australia, the lack of national policy certainty is now the single biggest driver of higher electricity prices.”

The Prime Minister’s failure to articulate let alone deliver a viable national energy policy is causing power prices to climb while reliability collapses.

Labor has a plan to address the energy crisis; lower power prices, improve reliability, cut pollution and create more jobs. This includes:

• A National Interest Test for future gas developments – so that Aussie homes and businesses have secure and affordable gas supply.
• An emissions intensity scheme that is supported by all stakeholders and experts, estimated to save households and businesses up to $15 billion over the next decade and provide the investment signal industry needs to renew our nation’s ageing electricity infrastructure.
• Investing in renewable energy because it is the cheapest, cleanest form of new power taking advantage of our abundance of natural resources, it will lead to the creation of thousands of new jobs, and it would secure Australia’s energy future.
• Give the ACCC an independent market studies power so it can decide when to investigate markets that disadvantage Australian consumers, rather than wait for a direction from the Government.

Under Malcolm Turnbull, the energy crisis is getting worse. A new ACCC inquiry is a welcome drop in an otherwise empty bucket.  

MONDAY, 27 MARCH 2017

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