2015-08-03
Robin Chapple (WA MLC)
Just one month ago, the WA state government handed down yet another hike to electricity prices. The budget for this year has been an eye-opener for all as our very prosperous state falls further into debt. At the start of the Barnett government's term the debt was $3.6 billion. It is now expected to blow out to $28 billion in the next financial year. The state government as usual is blaming low iron ore royalties — but, I don't think you need to have a degree in economics to know that basing the state's economy around one commodity will never work.
The world is changing. Climate change is no longer the distant doom cried by a few on the left; it is accepted by science and by governments the world over. The last year has seen those countries that have historically been reluctant to set hard targets, such as China and the U.S. announce ambitious plans to foster the uptake of renewable energy sources and cut their carbon emissions. While our close allies and trade partners lead the world towards a cleaner future, Australia has fallen behind, and it has been noted.
At the recent United Nations Convention on Climate Change in Bonn, Australia's climate policy was subject to more multilateral scrutiny than any other country, with some nations questioning the ambition and fairness of our targets. The Secretary General of the UN, Ban Ki-moon later labelled Australia as a “free-rider” on climate policy. Why wouldn't he? Tony Abbott's government has done away with the Department of Climate Change, scrapped the price on carbon and just in the last month slashed the RET.
Dismayed at the lack of ambition at the federal level, state governments in Victoria, the ACT and South Australia have all tried to establish their own RET, but federal legislation currently exempts companies from adhering to state-based targets. In response to the two older parties cutting the federal RET, Greens Senator Larissa Waters moved to allow states to voluntarily implement higher targets. Unfortunately, this was not successful. We know now from modelling commissioned by the Warburton committee that a strong RET fosters renewable energy uptake and lowers electricity prices.
Which brings me back to Western Australia. Emissions from electricity generation makes up the largest share of our carbon output. On the other hand, we have some of the best sunshine in the world and decent wind and tidal power opportunities. Renewable energy is cleaner, but in the next five years we will see it become cheaper as well. Why shouldn't West Australians benefit from this exciting new industry with potential for jobs growth and reductions to the cost of living?
Robin Chapple is Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region in the WA Legislative Council.