THE Nationals have announced their new Cheaper, Better, Fairer energy and climate plan, vowing to put Australians first by delivering more affordable electricity, secure regional jobs and lower emissions.
Federal Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell said the plan was a vital step forward for regional communities that rely on affordable and reliable energy to sustain local industries and jobs.
“Across the Nicholls electorate, people rely on affordable and reliable energy, their jobs depend on it. Businesses, farmers, manufacturers, food processors and households are already hurting from soaring energy costs. What we want is an all-technology approach that delivers the lowest possible energy prices for Australian households and businesses, while maintaining reliability and lowering emissions,” Mr Birrell said.
He said the Nationals’ plan takes a “common-sense” approach to addressing climate change and the economy, arguing that Labor’s current Net Zero strategy is failing to protect Australian jobs and competitiveness.
“We can’t afford the cost of Labor’s reckless Net Zero plan, and we can’t afford to risk sending industry and jobs in Nicholls offshore. We can continue to reduce emissions and address climate change, and we must, but we have to do it in a way that protects regional communities,” Mr Birrell added.
Citing rising energy prices and job losses, he said the current trajectory is unsustainable.
“Electricity prices are up by 39 per cent, gas prices are up by 46 per cent, real wages have dropped back to 2011 levels, and 7,000 manufacturing jobs have been lost,” Mr Birrell said.
He said the Cheaper, Better, Fairer plan will lower emissions in line with comparable nations rather than ahead of them, ensuring the costs of transition are shared fairly across Australia.
“Our plan is fairer because we will reduce emissions in line with comparable nations, not ahead of them. We will ensure that costs are distributed fairly, not concentrated on regional Australia,” Mr Birrell said.
He added that Australia’s push toward a grid dominated by wind and solar has pushed energy and production costs higher, leaving businesses struggling to compete internationally.
“Labor’s Net Zero has failed. We have a plan which is cheaper, better and fairer,” Mr Birrell said.
