Transcript - Interview with Kieran Gilbert, NewsDay, Sky News

Interview with Kieran Gilbert, NewsDay, Sky News, 24 July 2024

MELISSA MCINTOSH MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR ENERGY AFFORABILITY
SHADOW MINISTER FOR WESTERN SYDNEY
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR LINDSAY

Wednesday, 24 July 2024

Subjects: Energy affordability; energy security; renewables; gas; nuclear; AEMO June 2024 quarter report; housing affordability; interest rates

Live on NewsDay with Kieran Gilbert (Sky News)

Kieran Gilbert
Let's return now to the issue of energy. It dominated much of Peter Dutton's news conference a short time ago in the Hunter. Let's go live to one of his frontbenchers, the Shadow Minister for Energy Affordability, Melissa McIntosh. Thanks for your time. We've seen this AEMO report. Much made of the fact that there were shortages of wind and hydro. But is it also important to point out that the unreliability of the aging coal-fired power station fleet also has to be considered here, Melissa?

Melissa McIntosh
That's right. That's why our future plans have a mix of gas, of renewables, and of course, of nuclear. But what we're seeing play out is that everyday Australians are paying the price. I've just come in off the high street of Penrith. Right now, as you walk up and down the high street, you've never seen more homelessness than you do today. I met with community housing providers just last week who tell me that for the very first time, they've got families on social housing waitlists that have never had to be on a social housing waitlist. These aren't intergenerational welfare recipients. These are the working poor. And the top of the list of the costs of living crisis are energy bills. And what we've seen today is that unreliability, all eggs in the one basket approach on renewables is going to have a major impact on people's energy bills. Wind is down, hydro is down, and gas is up. And because we have such a short supply of gas, because of the Labor Government's policies, of course, people are going to be paying more. It is logical. So that's why we have a different plan, a plan that backs gas, a plan that still backs renewables and also nuclear.

Kieran Gilbert
Isn't it this story, though, as much about the need for batteries as anything to establish and build large scale batteries that can be literally turned on at the flick of a switch?

Melissa McIntosh
Yeah, like I said, renewables will play a part of our plan. I've got a number of solar panel companies in my electorate and right across Western Sydney. And when you're talking about batteries, and you speak to people about batteries, they are still really expensive right now. Whether you're talking about home batteries or the larger scale ones. And they are not quite fit for purpose, particularly in people's homes. People on solar are still really paying the price. There is a lack of understanding amongst Australians about the use of batteries. And quite importantly, batteries are still really expensive. So, they've got solar panel expenses and then battery expenses. But it's not just about batteries. This is about the government's policy that purely relies on renewables. And we have seen that in the report today, that that reliance is having a huge impact on everyday Australians. When the wind isn't blowing, we said this all the time, and the sun isn't shining, and then what's our backup? And we need 24/7 baseload power. When I'm speaking to manufacturers in Western Sydney, they tell me they could have all the solar panels in the world with battery, but that doesn't matter, they need gas to be fuelling manufacturing. It is absolutely critical for our sovereign protection in the future, for our manufacturing in the future, as well as everyday Australians.

Kieran Gilbert
In Lindsay, in your area at the foot of the mountains, give our viewers a sense of what would happen if we do see a rate rise in a few weeks from now. We've got the quarterly GDP number coming out next week. It probably is the most anticipated inflation number I can remember for a very, very long time. But those people you're talking to in Penrith, what impact would it be if we see another hike?

Melissa McIntosh
People are stretched to beyond capacity right now. I was door knocking in St Marys and Colton just the other day. And the story is the same. No matter where you go, they are really struggling. It's a very aspirational area. So, you've got people with big mortgages that are really stretched to the limit. But it is also an area that has always been very much a working area. And we've got food banks that are stretched to the limit as well. One particular food bank told me that they are not only feeding people now, they're paying for their electricity bills. They're paying people's electricity bills. When that is happening and when people are stretched with their mortgages, something is about to break. And the alarm bells are well and truly ringing right here in Western Sydney, but I think right across the country right now. I don't know how much more people can take. Cost of living is real life and it's happening and it needs to be addressed with a sense of urgency.

Kieran Gilbert
Shadow Minister for Energy Affordability, Melissa McIntosh. Thanks for your time. Appreciate it.