Victorian Nationals: Fresh warnings that Andrews’ failed energy policy will cost Victorian jobs

Daniel Andrews’ election energy policy has been tried, tested, and failed, and will continue to send power prices higher and cost more local Victorian jobs.

Fresh warnings from Australia’s largest brick-making company highlight the significant cost of Labor’s failed energy policy on local competitiveness and business viability.

Additionally, the Energy Users Association of Australia Chief Executive Andrew Richards has today warned that energy-intensive businesses may not survive Mr Andrews’ policy:

“It’s going to be quite hard to see some of the energy-intensive businesses surviving”, he said.

Furthermore, the Andrews Labor Government’s own modelling shows a spike in prices for a decade between 2025 and 2035 – meaning higher bills for longer under Labor.

Whilst Daniel Andrews’ energy policy will send prices higher and cost local jobs, the Victorian Liberals and Nationals have a sensible and practical plan to deliver cheaper and cleaner power for all Victorians while keeping the lights on.

A Matt Guy Liberals and Nationals Government will:

• Deliver one million solar and home battery rebates of up to $4,400, including double rebates for at least 100,000 rental properties.
• Support conventional onshore gas including a legislated domestic reserve to keep Victorian gas for Victorian families and businesses.
• Establish a $1 billion Victorian Hydrogen Strategy.
• Unlock 1,800 megawatts of renewable energy by upgrading transmission infrastructure in Western Victoria.
• Immediately establish a “Fixing Victoria’s Grid” taskforce that partners with industry to develop a plan to modernise our transmission system to make renewables work with a timeline to getting their work done.
• Legislate a 50 per cent emissions reduction target by 2030.

Shadow Minister for Energy and Renewables, David Southwick, said only the Liberals and Nationals have real solutions to deliver cleaner and cheaper power for all Victorians.

“Daniel Andrews’ election energy policy has been tried, tested, and failed before and is not a solution for Victoria’s future,” Mr Southwick said.

“Only the Liberals and Nationals have a sensible plan to deliver cheaper, cleaner, affordable and reliable power whilst transitioning to net-zero by 2050.”