This week the Hazelwood Power Station will shutdown in the Latrobe Valley due to policy decisions by the Andrews Labor Government. Hazelwood represents 22 per cent of Victoria’s power generation and 1000 jobs, providing affordable and reliable power to homes and businesses.
The Andrews Government has tripled the tax on coal and introduced a state-based
Renewable Energy Target of 40% by 2025, forcing the closure of Hazelwood. As a
result of this decision, St Vincent De Paul Society estimates Victorians are facing
$300 extra on the average annual household energy bill.
Under Daniel Andrews, Victoria is copying South Australia’s energy policies which
have resulted in blackouts and the highest power prices in the country. Victorians
now face 72 days of power shortfall in the next two years according to the Australian
Energy Market Operator, putting the State’s power security in jeopardy and more
pressure on prices.
The Victorian Coalition has called for the Andrews Government to intervene and fight
for a staged closure over years as it is the most responsible outcome for the Latrobe
Valley and Victoria. This would allow time for the Latrobe Valley workforce to
transition and Victoria’s energy network to adjust while maintaining reliability,
security and affordability. However, Daniel Andrews seems more concerned about
meeting costly green targets than he is with people’s livelihoods.
The Leader of Opposition, Matthew Guy has announced that a Liberal Nationals
Government will scrap the Victorian Renewable Energy Target so Victorians don’t
have repeated blackouts and higher electricity prices.
“Under Daniel Andrews Hazelwood is powering down and electricity bills are
powering up.”
“Unless we act, Victoria is bound to have regular South Australian-style blackouts
and higher power prices because of Daniel Andrews’ reckless policies.”
“Victoria needs a Premier to fight for the best interests of Victorians, not allow crime
to soar, youth justice centres to be overrun, CFA volunteers to be shafted and power
prices to surge because of reckless ideology.”