Energy the focus if NSW Labor leader Chris Minns wins power

NSW Opposition Leader Chris Minns says energy supply constraints and price increases would be key challenges for a Labor government if elected on March 25.

NSW Labor leader Chris Minns. Picture: Richard Dobson

Chris Minns has revealed his first 100-day priority as premier of NSW would be dealing with the energy crisis facing the state, as he warned that supply constraints and price increases would be key challenges for a Labor government if elected on March 25.

“We’re really concerned about the stability of dispatchable power for business, industry and consumers in NSW,” the Labor leader said in an exclusive interview.

“If we were to win, we’ll immediately be faced with real challenges for supply, the arrival (of) supply of energy, and the price associated with that.”

Mr Minns said energy was the “No. 1 crisis” facing NSW, yet the Perrottet government had not done enough to prepare for price spikes and reliability of supply.

He cited a recent report by the Australian Energy Market Operator that identified risks to reliability from 2023-24. He said rebates for households were temporary and not enough to ease cost pressures.

Labor has pledged to set up a state-owned $1bn NSW Energy Security Corporation to co-invest in renewable energy such as pumped hydro to provide grid stability.

It will also establish community batteries to support rooftop solar, and consider a gas reservation policy such as that adopted in Western Australia. Mr Minns also said essential industries, such as energy and water, should not be privatised.

“We’ve got to be really clear about the distinction between heavily competitive companies that are not monopolies at the federal level and essential industries in NSW,” he said. “Look at the implications of selling off critical state infrastructure to private interests, in particular electricity generation, and what it has done to the NSW economy.”

He said he would guarantee six frontbenchers who comprise his “executive leadership team” would be sworn in as ministers if Labor returned to government. He did not guarantee former leader Michael Daley, who is opposition legal affairs spokesman, would ­become attorney-general.

The leadership group comprises deputy leader Prue Car, upper house leader Penny Sharpe and Treasury spokesman Daniel Moo­k­hey, along with John Graham, Ryan Park and Jo Haylen. Opposition business manager Ron Hoenig is also part of this group.

“We’ve got to make a decision about the best team in the right spots,” Mr Minns said.

“I’d regard that as Treasury, Health, Transport, Education, Roads, Environment (who) will stay in their spots. I’ve got to be in a position where I’m looking at who gets elected and what the composition of the cabinet is if we’re elected. I can’t give a rock-solid guarantee because I don’t know what the personnel will be.”

Mr Minns said he expected the leadership group to continue in government with authority to “sign off on all big decisions”. He revealed he consulted with former premier Morris Iemma and Olympics minister Michael Knight.

He said if Labor returned to government, he would strengthen accountability and transparency in decision making and encourage robust cabinet debates with frank and fearless public service advice.