Will Labor’s batteries policy work?

Australia is in a deep energy crisis. Power bills are out of control, pollution is rising and the Liberals haven’t been able to agree on an energy policy for five years.

• Labor’s battery scheme ‘will not work’
• Shorten’s energy plan under fire

Labor energised to fix power crisis

Mark Butler

Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy

Australia is in a deep energy crisis. Power bills are out of control, pollution is rising and the Liberals haven’t been able to agree on an energy policy for five years.

That’s why yesterday we announced Labor’s plan to fix the Liberals’ energy crisis, deliver cheaper renewable energy and more jobs.

A Shorten Labor Government will drive new investment in renewable energy generation and storage and transform Australia’s energy supply systems.

Mark Butler. Picture Kym Smith

All the energy reports over the last few years have clearly outlined the biggest barrier to lower power bills has been the lack of energy policy.

And our preference is still to achieve bipartisan agreement on energy policy with the Liberals. But while we are prepared to work with the Liberals, we will not wait for them.

Our Plan for more renewables and cheaper power includes a ten-year energy investment plan that delivers certainty for industry, lower power prices and more reliability.

Our energy plan will end the power privatisation mess, stop over charging by power companies, future proof our energy network, and plan the transition to renewables by supporting a just transition for workers.

A Shorten Labor Government will also slash Australians power bills by setting a new national target of one million household battery installations by 2025 — with our Household Battery Program providing a $2,000 rebate for 100,000 households on incomes of less than $180,000 per year.

This is good for consumers — giving them more control over their power bills, as well as lowering power prices and improving reliability for all Australians by reducing demand on the electricity grid in peak times.

Labor will also open up access to renewable energy for households currently cut out of the solar revolution — like renters, apartment, and public housing tenants — through Labor’s $100 million Neighbourhood Renewables Program.

Labor is for firmed, affordable renewables — cheaper and cleaner electricity for Aussie households will help achieve our target of 50 per cent of power from renewables by 2030.

Bats from hell are a real shocker

Angus Taylor

Energy Minister

The Morrison Government’s energy policy is based on getting prices down and ensuring 24/7 reliable power to keep the lights on.

That is why we are cracking down on the big ­energy companies’ rip-offs, creating a price safety net to protect customers, underwriting new reliable generation and requiring energy retailers to guarantee supply.

Angus Taylor. Picture: James Croucher

Labor continually fails to understand the challenges we face in this sector. Bill Shorten has confirmed a reckless 45 per cent Emissions Reduction Target and a 50 per cent Renewable Energy Target.

These targets strike at the heart of Middle Australia, and will put a wrecking ball through our economy.

If Labor thinks their $200 million battery program is going to provide affordable, reliable power when the sun doesn’t shine, then it confirms how little they understand this sector. Bill’s Batteries would not even come close to supporting grid reliability.

Over 500,000 Australians are employed in energy-intensive manufacturing, coal and metal ore mining, oil and gas extraction and electricity generation. Labor’s Carbon Tax 2.0 puts every one of these jobs at risk.

What we need, and what the Coalition is providing, is a sensible, balanced, achievable set of policies.