Heavy industry needs cheap energy

Statements by Members
Albanese Government: Heavy industry
House of Representatives
9 September 2024

There is no cheering on the streets of Western Sydney about this government's high energy prices. There's certainly no cheering on the factory floors, because—newsflash—heavy industry in Western Sydney needs gas. 'Aussie made' is a farce. The biggest risk for insolvencies of businesses is in Western Sydney, in our region. Heavy industry is at risk of closing under this government's renewable-only energy policy. But I'm glad the minister's here, because I was very fortunate to visit his electorate just last week with the opposition leader. We went to Brickworks. Guess what? Brickworks needs gas as well. And they're quite concerned that, if we have a blackout or a brownout over summer, then they'll be not operational for up to six days. That's extraordinary, for Australia's biggest brick manufacturer. But you know what? They've got bricks lined up for miles—thousands of bricks not being used, because young Australians just can't afford to build their own homes as the costs are just too high. So these bricks are lined up. But the big story here is on energy prices and western Sydney manufacturers. It's time the Albanese Labor government came clean with Australian businesses. They are destroying Aussie-made and every small business in this country.