Wednesday, 9 September 2026

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Minister for Energy and Resources, Minister for Environment, Minister for Climate Action, Minister for the State Electricity Commission) (12:40): Today I wish to speak to the Carroll Labor government’s plan to deliver the energy transition, keeping Victoria’s lights on and the power bills down. It can be as simple as that. But I do want to talk to the risks of not delivering our plan –

Members interjecting.

Jaclyn SYMES: Yes, I do, because it is really important information and I want to refer to important information. Mr Davis asked me about the provision of information for the chamber, and I can confirm that I am very happy to make available to the chamber today –

Nick McGowan: On a point of order, President, the minister appears to be holding a prop. We have all got plans, but as soon as we start holding one, then others will do the same.

The PRESIDENT: I would prefer it if members do not hold up documents, because it never ends, especially at this time of the term.

Jaclyn SYMES: On the point of order, President, in relation to the information in the document I am referring to, it is a report. If it would be of assistance, I am happy to table the report for you, Mr McGowan, because it is a very important report. As I have said, I have committed to providing information to the chamber and the Victorian public in relation to risks and plans so that people know exactly what choices they have, particularly come November.

Today energy experts Nexa Advisory published this report showing that delaying or cancelling VNI West and the Western Renewables Link would cause skyrocketing power bills. For Victorian households we are talking more than $470 over five years, for small businesses almost $5000 and for large businesses almost $12,000. The numbers tell a very compelling story. Victorians cannot risk a reckless plan, a plan that would delay or cancel transmission projects like WRL and VNI West. Cancelling them would cost hundreds –

Michael Galea: On a point of order, President, I would ask that Ms Crozier also not wave a document around the chamber as a prop.

The PRESIDENT: I uphold the point of order.

Jaclyn SYMES: Cancelling them will cost hundreds of dollars for households. It will cost our state tens of billions of dollars in lost investment, and without them we will not be able to bring renewables online and keep the lights on. Extending coal is not an alternative to renewables in Victoria. This report and the operators of the coal plants themselves have made this very point. They have said they need to close. Gas is not an alternative to renewables in Victoria. It is dwindling, it is expensive and it needs to be reserved for industry that cannot electrify. It of course plays an important role in backing up renewables, but it cannot replace them. Those opposite do not have a plan for our energy system, just reckless commitments that will have a disastrous impact on Victorians, with more outages and higher prices. It is merely a sop to a One Nation campaign that they are terrified of in their seats. Only our government – (Time expired)

 David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:43): I move, by leave:

That the minister’s statement be taken into consideration on the next day of meeting.

Motion agreed to.