Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Bill 2023

Supported the bills and attacked the LNP for opposing renewables while claiming to support emissions targets. Warned that the LNP's nuclear plan would not deliver until after 2050 and would cost far more than renewables.

“Every time they speak, they speak out against any sort of renewable energy. They hate solar in their speeches, they hate wind energy in their speeches, and they especially hate publicly owned renewables.”— 2024-04-18View Hansard

As Minister for Energy, introduced the bill and argued it delivers a planned approach to transform Queensland's electricity system through renewable energy targets, public ownership of energy assets, the Job Security Guarantee for coal workers, and new governance frameworks.

“Doing nothing is not an option. Delay is not an option.”— 2024-04-17View Hansard

Raised concerns about the scale of land required for renewable energy (540,000 hectares for wind, 40,000 for solar), the lack of consultation on last-minute amendments, and the impact on regional communities. While not explicitly opposing renewables, urged that the minister's Powerlink amendment be sent to committee for scrutiny.

“I am not opposed to renewable energy; I am just saying that it should be managed appropriately.”— 2024-04-17View Hansard

Opposed the bill, citing community opposition to wind farms in Allora and concerns about late amendments regarding Renewable Energy Zones and Powerlink ring-fencing that were not scrutinised by committee. Raised concerns about impacts on the Millmerran Power Station and country communities.

“I will not be supporting the Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Bill 2023. I think it suggests a continuing disregard for the interests, the views and the lifestyles of people in country areas like the ones I represent.”— 2024-04-18View Hansard

Acknowledged the bill has positive elements including the 22 gigawatts of renewables and the Job Security Guarantee, but argued the targets fall short of climate science, the bill entrenches partial privatisation, and there is no plan for gas or resource workers. Moved amendments for 100% public ownership of generation and retail by 2030.

“Perhaps it is time for Labor to stop calling our policies fairy dust or pie-in-the-sky pipedreams if it is just going to end up adopting them.”— 2024-04-17View Hansard

As Deputy Premier and Treasurer, strongly supported the bills, arguing they secure majority public ownership of the energy system. Characterised LNP amendments to remove public ownership requirements as privatisation and welcomed LNP support for the Clean Economy Jobs Bill as implicit endorsement of vegetation management laws.

“On behalf of every member of the government on this side of the House, on behalf of every member of the Australian Labor Party, on behalf of every member of every affiliated trade union, I say this: Queensland Labor rejects the LNP's plan for privatised power. We reject the LNP's plan for nuclear power.”— 2024-04-18View Hansard

Opposed the bill, arguing renewable energy targets are unrealistic and amount to privatisation by stealth. Criticised wind farms for destroying natural habitat and sending profits overseas, and argued the Collinsville power station and Tully-Millstream hydro scheme would have been better alternatives.

“Based on this data, the government fails to explain how renewables will go from 10 per cent to 70 per cent in just eight years and 80 per cent of supply in under 30 years.”— 2024-04-18View Hansard

As former committee chair, spoke in support of both bills, highlighting extensive consultation through public hearings in Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville, Cairns and Brisbane. Emphasised the workforce transition plan and 100,000 new jobs in the energy sector.

“What is world leading is the Queensland Energy Workers' Charter. I am really proud of our government's work with trade unions to make sure that we bring Queenslanders on the journey to a renewables future.”— 2024-04-17View Hansard

Opposed both bills, arguing the renewable energy targets are unachievable and will cost up to $14 billion per year. Raised concerns about environmental impacts on koalas and wildlife from low-frequency noise from wind farms, and criticised the lack of transparency on contracts and the Pioneer-Burdekin hydro project.

“Show me where the price of power has gone down anywhere where this stuff has been put in. I would love to know. It has not happened and it is never going to happen, yet here we are adopting it.”— 2024-04-17View Hansard

As Premier, strongly supported the bills as setting Queensland's clean economy future with stored renewables instead of nuclear power. Emphasised public ownership of energy assets and warned the LNP nuclear option would see manufacturing go offshore.

“Only Labor will deliver the investment in the pumped hydro energy storage, the SuperGrid and the renewable energy that will be needed. Only Labor will back public ownership of our power assets.”— 2024-04-18View Hansard

As shadow energy minister, opposed the bill on grounds it lacks a credible pathway to achieve targets, risks higher energy bills through reliance on uncosted pumped hydro projects, and removes consumer protections by exempting Powerlink from the Australian Energy Regulator. Moved amendments on affordability, transparency, and expanding the Job Security Guarantee to coalmine workers and regional communities.

“The risk that Labor's plan poses to the energy bills of Queenslanders is far too great, and in Queensland's cost-of-living crisis Queenslanders should not have to take that risk.”— 2024-04-17View Hansard

As Minister for Energy and Clean Economy Jobs, delivered the reply to the second reading debate. Accused the LNP of proposing privatisation through their amendments and defended public ownership, renewable energy targets, and the Job Security Guarantee.

“We will not let the Liberal National Party rip that future away from the next generation of Queenslanders. We will not let the LNP auction off your jobs to the lowest bidder.”— 2024-04-18View Hansard

Strongly supported public ownership of energy assets and the bill's renewable energy targets. Detailed the impracticality and expense of nuclear power as an alternative, noting small modular reactors would cost around $20 billion just to replace Callide and Stanwell power stations.

“We need to treat the opposition's nuclear pipedream with the contempt it deserves.”— 2024-04-17View Hansard

As a committee member, raised concerns about workforce shortages, the lack of business cases for pumped hydro projects, the cost blowouts on Borumba from $6 billion to $14 billion, and the impact on agricultural land. Criticised the minister's last-minute amendments exempting Powerlink from the AER as requiring committee scrutiny.

“We support renewable energy but we do not trust this government to deliver these projects on time.”— 2024-04-17View Hansard

Opposed the bill citing lack of consultation with agricultural industries, the government's poor track record on transparency with the Borumba pumped hydro and Forest Wind projects, and the impact on prime agricultural land. Highlighted concerns from AgForce, Canegrowers and the Queensland Farmers' Federation about unachievable targets increasing costs.

“People are sceptical about government claims about time lines, costs, power-generated job creation and their power bill costs.”— 2024-04-17View Hansard

Supported both bills as delivering affordable energy and maintaining public ownership of energy assets. Endorsed the committee recommendations that both bills be passed.

“Queenslanders have always used our natural resources to be bold and visionary and world beating.”— 2024-04-17View Hansard

Opposed the bill as threatening over 8,000 jobs in the Callide electorate, arguing the Job Security Guarantee is inadequate as it excludes coalmine workers and contractors. Criticised the cognate debate format as limiting scrutiny of significant legislation.

“Do not ever turn up and pretend you care about my electorate... if your very next breath is about shutting down our towns.”— 2024-04-17View Hansard

Opposed the bill on behalf of the KAP, arguing renewables cannot provide dispatchable base load power, the targets are unachievable, and the transition amounts to privatisation of power generation. Advocated for biofuels and ethanol mandates as alternatives, and supported nuclear power as a practical option for emissions reduction.

“I can simply say this is not for us. I know I speak for many North Queenslanders in saying this is not for us.”— 2024-04-17View Hansard

As former energy minister who introduced Queensland's first renewable energy target, strongly supported the bills as locking in emissions targets and public ownership. Argued the energy transformation is about technology not ideology, and criticised the LNP for undermining pumped hydro.

“When we came to power, there was four per cent clean energy in Queensland. Not a single large-scale energy project was facilitated under the Newman government.”— 2024-04-17View Hansard

Supported both bills as delivering cheaper power, cleaner environment and secure jobs. Emphasised the importance of public ownership in enabling electricity rebates for cost-of-living relief.

“I will be proud to look back in 20, 30, 40 years, when my kids are hopefully paying energy bills themselves, and think about the role we played as a parliament in setting that scene.”— 2024-04-17View Hansard

Opposed the bill, citing 28.7% residential electricity price increases and 52% farm electricity increases under the current government. Argued solar farms create very few permanent jobs and are being built on prime agricultural land. Supported the LNP amendments moved by the member for Nanango.

“I have had farmers in my area now going back and buying diesel pumps because they are cheaper to run than electric pumps.”— 2024-04-17View Hansard

Supported the bills as locking in the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, over 100,000 new jobs, and public ownership of energy assets. Highlighted Swanbank Clean Energy Hub as an example of the transition working in Bundamba.

“It is Labor that reopened Swanbank Power Station, it is Labor that brought back our Swanbank workers, and it is Labor that is investing over $300 million in a big battery at Swanbank.”— 2024-04-17View Hansard

Supported the bills for taking real action on climate change, protecting workers and keeping energy assets in public hands. Noted Queensland has gone from 7% to 27% renewable energy since 2015.

“When we were elected, only seven per cent of Queensland's energy was generated by renewable energy. Now we are sitting at around 27 per cent and the speed of the introduction of more renewable energy is increasing every day.”— 2024-04-17View Hansard

Opposed the bill, arguing the government's renewable energy plan could cost $100 billion and dramatically increase electricity bills through expanded regulated asset base charges. Criticised the claim that renewable energy is cheaper and warned that transmission costs alone could increase bills by a factor of 10 to 20.

“This government are completely incompetent. They have no idea what they are doing here.”— 2024-04-17View Hansard