The Nationals’ Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, has backed the local energy workforce by providing an assurance The Nationals in government will not shut down any of Victoria’s coal-fired power stations early.
Following a decade of mismanagement and underinvestment by Labor, the Victorian Auditor-General has warned Victoria faces a significant risk of electricity shortfall following the expected closure of the Yallourn Power Station in 2028.
This imminent energy shortage puts us at risk of blackouts, higher prices and having our economy grind to a halt.
“Labor has had 12 years to prepare for the energy transition, but repeated inaction and mismanagement of the grid mean Victoria is in a precarious position,” Mr Cameron said.
“The Auditor-General has now confirmed Labor will not meet its legislated 2032 offshore wind targets and has failed to consider the risks associated delaying approvals and auctions.
“We now face almost certain power shortages, even higher electricity bills, and job losses – none of which are acceptable outcomes.”
The Nationals and Liberals’ Energy Security Requirement will also ensure Victoria has sufficient power to meet our needs by securing additional new firm electricity generation through competitive tenders.
The Energy Security Requirement complements our plan to throw open the door to new conventional gas exploration and extraction and overturn Labor’s ideological gas ban.
“The Nationals won’t allow Victoria to run out of power. We need to avoid shortfalls, drive down costs and restore confidence to our economy,” Mr Cameron said.
“We are one of the most resource-rich regions in Australia, and our brown coal reserves are both the highest quality and the most abundant in the western world.
“We don’t need new coal-fired power stations, we just need to allow the existing ones to operate until the end of their lives.
“Coal has a role to play in ensuring the lights stay on while alternative energy resources come online and until they can replace the base-load power Victorians rely on.
“What is often lost in the conversation about renewables is the fact that batteries don’t generate power – they only store power.
“Unlike Labor, The Nationals understand the need for more firm electricity supplies and have a plan to deliver exactly that.
“Victorians are crying out for change and the only way to change the government is to vote for the Liberals and Nationals this November.”
