Energy supply and security is a hot topic for many of our members.
As we feel the effects of increased electricity prices in our hip pockets, it’s only natural questions are asked.
Energy policy made at a macro level filters down and impacts regional communities at a micro level.
We are seeing the impacts and the pain looks set to get worse.
Like the rest of the country, regional, rural and remote businesses and communities depend on affordable electricity to remain competitive.
Unlike some other areas, we don’t have the ability to pack up our plant and move offshore should prices get too high.
Many of our businesses can’t adjust their operations to shift to more off-peak use.
Farm lobby and regional development groups have been warning about the impacts of increased electricity prices for some time. The solutions discussed so far by government seem simple at best.
Dig up more coal, extract more gas, do more hydro works and generally increase electricity supply. That must surely drive down prices, they hope.
Against a backdrop of rural Australia struggling with energy bills, we have an almost fanciful argument raging about the best way to fix the issue.
“Never let a good crisis go to waste,” Winston Churchill used to say.
The federal government has taken this advice on wholeheartedly and seen the looming energy crisis as a wonderful tool to leverage the argument we need more coal and particularly, gas, extraction.
As for renewables, they are seen as an abominable waste that should be done away with.
How stupid do they think the general public is?
While we continue to ship LNG to far-flung export markets and consider billion-dollar subsidies to shore up coal supply for other countries, the argument is built of a deck of cards.
These fuels all have a place, and an important one. Our country was built on our ability to wisely use our plentiful resources.
That said, we need to understand these resources are finite and some environmental costs are too high.
Of course, no argument about energy supply means anything without considering climate change and what action we’re prepared to take on it.
We support positive action on climate change.
We want government to use this time to seriously consider devising a proper plan for transitioning regions, communities and workers from fossil fuel extraction, processing and burning sectors to new, inclusive and sustainable economies.
That plan should also include a commitment to more research, development and investment into renewable energy in rural Australia as a way of adapting and reducing the risk of climate change while scoping and establishing additional, yet sustainable, productive industries for rural populations.
Renewables are not the whole answer, but neither is exploiting more fossil fuels, particularly when we have no policy that puts Australians first and foremost.
There is middle ground. Let’s find it, and find it soon.
- CWA NSW state president Annette Turner
