Poles and wires projects being funded by the Albanese Labor Government’s $20 billion green fund are spewing emissions, while project costs are continuing to be kept hidden.
New documents obtained by the Opposition under Freedom of Information laws from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) have revealed that five mega transmission projects funded by Labor’s Rewiring the Nation fund have been estimated to produce over 2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent during construction.
| PROJECT | EMISSIONS |
| Central West Orana REZ | 611,607 tCO2-e (during construction) |
| Humelink | 312,691 tCO2-e (during construction) |
| VNI West (NSW) | 899,184 tCO2-e (during construction) |
| Marinus Link Stage 1 | 53,000 tCO2-e (scope 1 and 2) 169,926 tCO2-e (scope 3) |
| North West Transmission | 9,255 tCO2-e (during construction) |
The documents also reveal that CEFC has, in aggregate, spent $1.9 billion of taxpayer funds to date, but individual project costs have not been disclosed, mirroring Labor’s secretive Capacity Investment Scheme.
Shadow Minister for Energy and Energy Reduction Dan Tehan said Labor was spending billions of taxpayers’ money to desecrate regional communities.
“There’s nothing ‘green’ about Labor’s poles and wires rollout,” Mr Tehan said.
“These massive towers and cables are destroying regional communities, while the government ploughs on with little regard for the impact this is having on residents.
“Behind this emissions data are regional communities being battered by unceasing, disruptive construction activity that is causing havoc in the bush.
“I am deeply concerned that – as with Chris Bowen’s $8.5 billion Cheaper Home Batteries Program blowout – the Rewiring the Nation fund will end up being another financial disaster for taxpayers.
“The Coalition’s plan for cheaper power and energy abundance will put Australians first by requiring projects to have appropriate social license.”
The Auditor-General is currently investigating the Rewiring the Nation fund and is due to hand down its report in May 2027.
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Media contact: Phil Connole M | 0417 063 605