I know a lot of people who matter read these posts. Why nothing gets done escapes me.
The LNP has unnecessarily dumped net zero and opened itself up to another climate war.
Apparently, its new energy principles will include.
The two foundational principles are to create a stable energy grid with affordable power, and reduce emissions in a responsible way that ensures Australia “does its fair share” – in that order.
The eight guiding principles include: putting affordable energy first, technology neutrality, a commitment to Paris (but with no legislated mandates or interim targets), social licence requirements for electricity infrastructure and scrapping carbon taxes, tariffs and mandates such as the national vehicle emissions standards.
That might be sellable to the electorate. However, it is a huge risk in the cities. And it is still achievable only one way, which is IMMENSELY popular.
The LNP must go forward with Peter Dutton’s gas reservation policy. Indeed, it should make its price target more aggressive at $7Gj local gas.
Dutton proposed using a suite of carrots and sticks to force the East Coast gas cartel to sell its spot gas volumes in Australia, not overseas.
That would stabilise power prices and emissions reduction, and because it uses de facto export levies, the price can be set at any level the government chooses.
Make it $7Gj, and you will get a 40% reduction in power bills.
This is an $800 cash drop for the average household, an immediate leg-up for the industrial base, a huge boost for dwelling construction as building material prices fall, and an enormous wave of disinflation that will crash interest rates to 2%.
In turn, it equates to higher growth and budget repair.
If it is framed in this manner, it can obviously win the LNP government.
