From nuclear to renewables, gas to grid costs, both sides pitched their visions for Australia’s energy future.
Energy Minister Chris Bowen and his opposition counterpart Ted O’Brien locked horns in a fiery debate that set the tone for what could be the most consequential policy contest of the election.
At the National Press Club on April 10, Bowen opened by declaring that the Albanese government’s plan is evidence-based and backed by the CSIRO and energy regulators.
“Our plan, which stays the course with an appropriate mix of more renewable energy, backed by storage, gas, household batteries, and transmission, delivers the cheapest, most reliable form of energy and reduces emissions.”
He highlighted Labor’s progress: “33 percent renewable energy on the day we came to office, 46 percent in the last quarter of last year … renewables are set to overtake coal as the largest source of our electricity this year.”
Bowen warned that the Coalition’s nuclear-based plan would stall that momentum.
“They see no role for renewables above 54 percent of our electricity by 2050 … and want to run our coal-fired power system for longer and harder.”
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He described their approach as relying on “the most unreliable part of our energy system,” and added, “Their modelling crumbles like a sayo in a blender.”
O’Brien Backs Nuclear, More Gas, Public Ownership of Assets
The Liberal Party’s O’Brien hit back with a sharp critique of Labor’s “renewables-only” agenda.
“Under the Coalition, Australia will become richer, stronger and fiercely independent. Energy is life, energy is the economy.”
