Wednesday, 9 September 2026

 David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:08): (1472) My question is to the minister for energy. Minister, I refer to the AEMO reserve notice medium term PASA report dated 4 August and the reserve notice published on 1 September, which states that in July 2028 in Victoria ‘forecast demand will exceed supply under some circumstances’. Minister, to be clear, the AEMO note effectively points to the risk that the lights could go out from July 2028, with the MT PASA informing –

Members interjecting.

The PRESIDENT: Order! Please, Mr Davis, continue.

David DAVIS: Minister, to be clear –

Members interjecting.

The PRESIDENT: Please! Mr Davis is going to ask his question without interruption, and then the minister is going to answer the question without interruption.

David DAVIS: President, I fear my time may be truncated.

The PRESIDENT: Do not worry about the time. Within limitations, do not worry about the time. You will get your question in.

David DAVIS: Minister, to be clear, the AEMO note effectively points to the risk the lights could go out from July 2028, with the MT PASA informing the market of potential reliability issues. Why, Minister, after 12 years in government, has Labor left Victoria in a position where the lights may go out from July 2028?

Members interjecting.

The PRESIDENT: Mr McIntosh, go and have an early shower for half an hour, please.

Tom McIntosh withdrew from chamber.

Renee Heath: On a point of order, President, Mr McIntosh should put that in a substantive motion. But I think you have acquitted the point of order.

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Minister for Energy and Resources, Minister for Environment, Minister for Climate Action, Minister for the State Electricity Commission) (12:11): Mr Davis, perhaps we are reading a different report. AEMO in their ESOO say that Victoria will have sufficient supply following the closure of Yallourn. AEMO’s 10-year reliability forecast shows that Victoria is prepared for the closure of Yallourn power station in 2028. We on this side of the chamber have implemented a clear path to transition to cheaper, more renewable energy, with strong targets and streamlined planning approvals to get critical renewable energy infrastructure built on time. Your assertion that our plan does not keep the lights on actually should be reflected back on your plan.

 David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:11): It might come as a surprise to the minister, but you have been in government for 12 years. I therefore ask a very simple question: Minister, have you been briefed regarding the medium-term PASA? If so, will you make those briefings available to the house, and if not, why not?

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Minister for Energy and Resources, Minister for Environment, Minister for Climate Action, Minister for the State Electricity Commission) (12:12): Mr Davis, I will continue to provide information to this house that demonstrates that on this side of the chamber we have a plan to bring on new renewable –

David Davis: On a point of order, President, it was a very specific question about the medium-term PASA reports. Has she been briefed on those reports or not?

The PRESIDENT: Mr Davis, the minister was on her feet for 8 seconds.

David Davis: Yes, and she is heading on a different tack.

The PRESIDENT: None of us in here have a crystal ball. The minister was 8 seconds in, and the minister will continue.

Jaclyn SYMES: As I was saying, I will continue to bring the evidence, the information and the material that demonstrates that you have to have a plan in relation to –

David Davis interjected.

Jaclyn SYMES: Mr Davis, I will continue to bring information to this chamber to back up the plan that we have to ensure that we keep the lights on and keep power prices down, and it will demonstrate that your plan is a fantasy.

David Davis: On a point of order, President, this was a very specific question about a specific document, the MT PASA. The minister did not mention that and did not respond on that in any way whatsoever. She ignored the name of the document. I do not think she knows what it is.

The PRESIDENT: It does not make any difference if you use all of your fingers. I will give you that one – very clever; good for you. But it is still very much why Mr McIntosh got booted. I would ask you to please refrain from that. You can call a point of order at the end of question time if you believe the minister has not responded to the question and I have made a decision that she has.