Fair dinkum power must be based on evidence, not ideology

The Australian Greens will establish the Select Committee into Fair Dinkum Power to inquire into the electricity market, power prices and energy generation methods to cut through the Federal Government's meaningless and misleading energy policy.

"The best thing about renewable energy is that it is good for the planet and good for the wallet. It's clean, reliable and getting cheaper every day. Now, that's fair dinkum power," Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

"This inquiry will bust the myths being peddled by the Morrison Government about renewable energy, grid stability and power bills. If Scott Morrison was actually 'fair dinkum' about power, he would let evidence, not ideology, guide energy policy.

"Consumers and the industry want to be empowered. The public sees through the Morrison Government's bluster about using a 'big stick', and more coal, to put power prices down.

"Australians are right to be angry that we're being screwed with huge power bills, and we should be even angrier that the Morrison Government's answer is more coal.

"Research shows that gas and coal fired power stations break down every 2.4 days. Meanwhile, the battery in South Australia is proven to be putting downward pressure on power prices, and providing stability.

"We can be the renewable powerhouse of the world; all we need is factual information and the political will to make decisions in the best interests of all Australians."

Terms of reference:

1.      That a select committee, to be known as the Select Committee into fair dinkum power, be established on 28 November 2018 to inquire into and report on 30 June 2019, on the following matters:

a.      The potential for empowering energy consumers to play a more important role in the National Electricity Market, through providing diverse services;

                                                              i.      Energy generation

                                                            ii.      Demand response and energy efficiency

                                                          iii.      Grid stability and reliability services

                                                           iv.      Alternatives to conventional network investment

                                                             v.      Peer to peer trading between households and businesses

b.      The potential for these services to deliver lower energy costs and increased energy reliability

c.       The changing role of retailers in the National Electricity Market, in light of increasing empowerment of energy consumers

d.      The impacts of privatisation

e.      Regulatory reforms which would empower energy consumers, including these key groups:

                                                              i.      Households including low income households and renters

                                                            ii.      Farms

                                                          iii.      Small businesses

                                                           iv.      Major energy users

f.        The likely long term impacts, including to emissions, stability and reliability, of energy consumers playing a larger role

g.      Any other related matters

Thursday, November 15, 2018