Editorial: What will power our state’s future

The state government’s decision to shelve a huge wind farm has been made for the right reasons, but it poses an obvious question, writes the editor.

A Queensland wind farm has been axed. (File picture)

The state government’s decision to shelve a huge wind farm proposal near Rockhampton has been made for the right reasons, but it poses an obvious question.

What will power Queensland’s future?

Deputy Premier and Planning Minister Jarrod Bleijie, in announcing that the Moonlight Ridge project would not go ahead, was careful not to restart the climate wars, declaring the decision was purely a result of consultation with the local community.

“For too long Queensland communities were ignored by Labor’s failed laws, which shut them out of the approvals process for renewable energy projects proposed to be built in their backyard,” Mr Bleijie said.

“Queenslanders deserve to have a say on any major development in their local community, which is why our government introduced new nation-leading laws to give them a voice on issues that impact that future of their towns.”

Those laws – which subject renewable energy proposals to the same level of scrutiny as mining and agriculture – have now claimed their first victim.

Many would say “fair enough”.

For while the giant turbines produce emission-free electricity (when the wind is blowing), it is disingenuous to suggest that they have no impact on the environment or a local community.

Visually, while some have described them as majestic, they are eyesores, detracting greatly from an area’s natural beauty.

They also take up a vast area of land that can’t be used for other purposes. Farming, for instance.

But there is a level of hypocrisy in all of this. For while the LNP is saying it wants community feedback on wind farms on one hand, it has also unapologetically and necessarily moved to override existing council planning and environmental rules to ensure it was legal to build the main Olympic Stadium at Victoria Park.

And then there is the matter of what fills the gap in the grid left when renewables projects are canned. Let’s not forget that one of the first acts of this government was to cancel the giant Pioneer-Burdekin pumped hydro project – a totally justified decision given ridiculous budget overruns as well as shocking environmental impacts to native wildlife.

But it is another hole in the future grid that will be filled with … just what exactly.

Premier David Crisafulli, when in opposition, was quick to distance himself from the federal Coalition’s plan to introduce nuclear power to Australia.

His instincts were spot-on, with the policy savaged by Labor disinformation during the campaign, poorly defended by then opposition leader Peter Dutton and even now one of the key issues threatening the future of the Coalition.

There seems to be no stomach for the government to extend out coal-fired power plants beyond their planned 2035 decommissioning. Indeed, judging by explosions at the Callide plant, they might not even last that long without a major new injection of funds. So the Premier needs an energy policy, and fast. Because at the moment it seems like he is just tilting at windmills.

DEFUSE DEBT BOMB

The federal election campaign that concluded just over three weeks ago has been broadly characterised as a case of the voters asking Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton “what can you do for me?”

With little broad vision or reform on offer, voters instead were left weighing up the value of cheaper petrol against tax cuts and student debt forgiveness.

And while it helped embed the narrative that the Aussie voter is guided by the hip-pocket nerve, a survey that we report on today suggests otherwise.

The survey of 1000 people by JWS Research found as many as eight in 10 voters are giving Labor a license to pursue “some of the more difficult and complex reforms needed to grow the economy and balance the budget” in its second term.

It appears to give Labor a clear opening to consider new ways to raise revenue to help bring down the $150.5 billion in deficits forecast over the next four years.

It also suggests that voters may not be as selfish as the major parties would have us believe.

Of course it’s very easy to appear altruistic until the list of winners and losers comes out, but the fact remains that if Labor is to tackle Australia’s terrifying debt bomb, now would be the time to start, with the years-long fight against inflation seemingly won (touch wood).

The challenge for Treasurer Jim Chalmers, if he decides to take on the task in this term of government, is to make any reform appear fair and equitable, and not another salvo in the class war that is deep in Labor’s DNA.

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Chris Jones, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details here