Jacinta Allan: Major energy boss resorts to smears over facts
The CEO of a multinational gas corporation compared Victoria to North Korea this week, when in truth he knows our state is growing, open for business, and investing in energy – including gas, Premier Jacinta Allan writes.
Opinion
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When people are short on facts, they resort to smears.
That’s why the CEO of a multinational gas corporation compared Victoria to North Korea this week.
In truth, he knows Victoria is growing, open for business, and investing in energy – including gas.
He knows we green-lit the first new gas production application in a decade and we’re clearing the way for the Viva Energy Gas Terminal Project to the next stage of approvals.
He knows there’s $2bn in projects proposed for new gas supply and infrastructure in Victoria.
But he’ll still say we’re anti-gas – because Santos doesn’t want competition.
Even as we invest in gas, we’re also backing affordable renewables – publicly and privately owned – to lower power bills.
That’s what companies like Santos don’t like: a competitive energy market with publicly-owned players where the lowest price wins, and the consumer benefits.
Our approach is delivering results.
Victoria consistently has the lowest wholesale power prices in the country, and businesses and families are the winners.
Since March 2024, $3.3bn of renewable energy investment has been fast-tracked – creating local jobs and generating enough energy to power 330,000 homes.
And soon, the State Electricity Commission will power our trains, trams, hospitals and schools with publicly-owned renewable energy.
That’s the core of our economic plan: a growing state that’s open for business, but where families and workers share in the benefits, too.
Take housing. We’re cutting red tape to build more homes, faster – and now we’re building more than any other state.
That’s good for developers and investors. It’s also good for young people looking for a home they can afford.
Take business investment. While investment fell nationally last year, Victoria’s grew by 3.7 per cent.
Our economic growth reforms are good for the private sector, and they’re good for workers who’ll gain more well-paid, stable jobs.
Make no mistake: Victoria is unashamedly pro-business investment and pro-economic growth.
It’s my job as Premier to make sure you’re winning out of that arrangement, too. The benefits must mean more opportunities and services for you.
That’s why we’re investing in public renewables – while also investing in private gas projects. Because we want to drive down your bills.
At the end of the day, I’m on the side of families and workers – not multinational CEOs trying to talk down our state.
He’s entitled to his opinions. But Victorians are entitled to the facts – and affordable energy.
Jacinta Allan is Victorian Premier
Originally published as Jacinta Allan: Major energy boss resorts to smears over facts
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