Economic Vandalism Becomes Reality Under LNP's Disastrous Energy Plan
The LNP State Government's ideological opposition to renewable energy is pushing Queensland toward severe blackouts, soaring power bills, declining regional employment, and a mass exodus of clean energy investors, according to the Electrical Trades Union (ETU).
ETU State Secretary Peter Ong said the LNP's newly released energy plan marks a reckless departure from a forward-looking, job-creating energy future and is an act of "economic vandalism".
"Just a year ago under Labor, Queensland had an Energy and Jobs Plan with a massive investment pipeline and guarantees for workers with its Energy Workers' Charter. Now, we're watching that progress unravel. The LNP's so - called plan abandons wind, solar and hydro in favour of ageing coal and costly gas. And it fails workers with no plan for a fair transition for coal-dependent energy workers. The government, through its inaction and sabotage, is leaving workers in limbo. They're shutting their eyes to reality and pretending it will go away. It's a disgraceful betrayal."
Ong also highlighted the recent announcement by Rio Tinto regarding the early closure of Gladstone Power Station and its rapid move towards renewable energy with storage as an example of the lack of trust the industry has in the Crisafulli Government.
"Rio Tinto, one of Australia's biggest energy investors and job creators, is walking away from coal fired generation and backing renewables with storage, because it makes economic and social sense. But instead of welcoming that progress, planning minister Jarrod Bleijie tried to block it. Driven by his ideological hatred of renewable energy he tried to kill off the 1.4 GW Bungaban wind farm project which Rio Tinto intends to contract, thankfully he was overruled." Ong said.
"This isn't just bad policy, it's sabotage. The energy transition is happening, with or without the LNP, and big industry clearly no longer trusts them to deliver anything close to a credible plan. Bleijie has already torn up approvals for two major wind projects and called in two more, creating chaos in the sector. Meanwhile, the LNP has scrapped Queensland's renewable energy targets and is predicted to break its promises re: emissions commitments. It's a dog's breakfast, the only certainty coming out of this plan is blackouts, higher prices, few regional jobs and more uncertainty for investors."
"They're not just dragging their feet; they're actively working against Queensland's energy future."
"Queensland already has the highest wholesale power prices and the lowest share of renewables in the country. Now it's set to get worse, with the LNP pouring billions into ageing coal plants, backing expensive gas, and gutting the clean energy projects that create real jobs in the regions."
"This plan is a shameful display of betrayal from the LNP. They have once again shown their total ineptitude when it comes to understanding how energy planning works," Mr Ong concluded.
