Families and businesses in Wannon would be put first under the Liberals and Nationals’ plan to scrap Net Zero and prioritise cheaper, reliable power.

Federal Member for Wannon and Shadow Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, Dan Tehan MP, said rising power bills are putting more pressure on household budgets.

“Every extra dollar spent on your power bill is a dollar less for the family budget,” Mr Tehan said.

“Australia has abundant energy resources. So why are we paying so much?

“The problem is Labor’s policies. Driven by its Net Zero obsession, Labor has turned its back on affordable and reliable energy.

“The Liberals and Nationals will scrap Net Zero and prioritise cheaper power.”

Within 30 days of being elected, the Liberals and Nationals will introduce the Scrap Net Zero (Cheaper Energy) Bill.

The legislation will:

• Scrap the Net Zero target, which currently exists in law.
• Remove the Safeguard Mechanism, a carbon tax that places costs on productive industries and drives jobs offshore.
• Scrap Labor’s family car and ute tax, which drives up the cost of some of Australia’s favourite vehicles and limits consumer choice.
• Cancel four offshore wind zones and create a code of conduct for renewable developers to ensure they earn community support.
• Lift the ban on nuclear energy, giving Australia the opportunity to access reliable power that can run around the clock.
• Make federal funding and the energy regulator prioritise cheaper, reliable power.

Mr Tehan said the plan would put three principles at the centre of energy policy: affordability, reliability and security.

“Labor’s obsession with ideology and political targets costs Wannon locals,” Mr Tehan said.

“They promised your power bill would fall by $275, but electricity has instead risen by nearly 40%.”

Kylie Manski who owns the Ararat Motor Inn said, “Energy costs are a significant and growing expense for our business. Every increase in our power bills cuts into our profits and means there is less money available to reinvest in the business, whether that’s upgrading rooms, improving facilities or simply keeping up with the rising costs of running a business. We’re seeing more and more of our income being absorbed by costs that are outside our control.”

Mark Billing, a dairy farmer from Larpent near Colac said, “Energy is a high and growing cost for dairy farm businesses, particularly for milking, milk cooling, water pumping and irrigation. For dairy farmers, affordable and reliable electricity is essential. When power costs rise, those increases flow directly into the cost of producing milk and put further pressure on farm profitability which, in turn, can also mean higher prices for consumers.”

Michael Nagorcka, Director, Waltanna Farms in Warrayure said, “Lack of energy reliability in the form of power outages has been a massive, recurring problem for us. We were forced to make a very substantial investment in a large generator to secure 24/7 power to run our 24/7 production facility. Reliable power is essential for every business. Businesses need to know they can keep operating, meet their commitments and serve their customers without having to bear the additional cost of securing their own backup power.”

Mr Tehan said, “We will put households and businesses before ideology.

“Our plan will back any technology that can deliver affordable and reliable power, including coal, gas, hydro, nuclear, batteries and renewables in the right places.

“Because less money spent on your power bill means more left for groceries, rent, the mortgage and everything else your family needs.”

ENDS

Media contact: Sandie Gustus M | 0408 564 232 E | sandie.gustus@aph.gov.au