The energy policy announcement has highlighted what has been blatantly obvious for sometime. The resentment of so many towards Malcolm Turnbull overrides any willingness to analyse and judge policy on merit. Despite what was announced this week which delivers on many of people's demands, the knockers just keep moving the goalposts.
One deluded little soul even claimed the Government’s energy policy is just Tony Abbott’s policy minus the Paris targets. People agreed with him. If that was true I would expect Tony Abbott and those same pro-Abbott supporters to be cheering and claiming victory over Malcolm Turnbull however they’re not. Instead, they are whining their little heads off. This highlights the idiocy of political debate driven by identity politics. It’s not about policy for some it’s about getting one back on the other guy.
Back to energy. It’s about time we faced facts. There is no magic pudding that will fix our energy mess. It has been a long time in the making so it won’t be turned around a few weeks; it will take years. Even then not everyone will get everything they want or demand. It is impossible to deliver all things to all people. So it is a matter of priorities. Whilst there are different priorities two impact the most on individuals and business; reliability and cost.
Our energy recovery time line will be driven by several factors. There are current legal agreements that must run the course. There are the required political negotiations with a hostile opposition being Labor/Greens. You can add to that mix Micros like Pauline Hanson and One Nation who are already in the Labor camp criticising. Heavens knows how long those negotiations will take. That’s just on the Government side.
There are business leaders who have to convince boards to change direction. That’s no easy task. Plus, there is the imperative of attracting new investment to expand our traditional power sources to deliver stability. Let’s not forget regulators and other interest groups.
Trying to balance the needs of so many diverse stakeholders, including consumers is hard. You’d have to be naïve to think it isn’t. Whilst many only think of themselves the challenge goes well beyond. It pays to remember that.
Work has already started on costs. Recent Government pressure on power suppliers has delivered results. My new energy deal is significantly lower as a result. All things being equal I should see a reduction of about $150 a quarter. Around $600 per year. The lesson is, pick up the phone and shop around. Far too many expect the government to do all the work and to deliver all their demands on a silver tray.
People are complaining about the measly price reduction under the policy announced yesterday. However, what about the perceived savings that will be delivered due to costs not rising? Plus that’s on top of any reductions we are currently enjoying.
Kerry Schott, chair of the Energy Security Board in responding to a question on the ABC about the guarantee said. “The guarantee is about providing a reliable power system and meeting the emissions targets set in the Paris agreement. What will happen when those mechanisms are put in place is that prices are likely to come down and they're likely to keep coming down.” That last comment is important. So, if we get the frame work right that’s what we can expect; prices to keep coming down. Win, win.
Josh Frydenberg pointed out yesterday, by 2030 the coal/gas share of the energy mix would be in the range of 64% -72%. He also rightly mentioned there were “more likely” to be upgrades or extensions in coal plants. That should please conservatives. Now, the industry has some certainty on direction, I expect Josh Frydenberg is right and we will see that happen. You can’t expect business to invest if they don’t understand where Government or the country is heading. Now they have some certainty. You can bet Josh Frydenberg will continue to work with industry to achieve the coal/gas target assuming the government is re-elected. Given identity politics is rife in Australia there is no guarantee they will be. If we end up with Shorten and Labor all bets are off. So let’s not forget that. We play a role here.
Josh Frydenberg has also pointed out the new model is premised on ideas of no subsidies, no taxes, no trading schemes. Isn’t that what everyone has been screaming for? We also have the commitment of guaranteed supply something individuals and business has demanded. I would have thought that would generate some acknowledgement and credit from the conservative side, but no it didn’t. Why? Because for a significant number their loathing for Turnbull is so entrenched they can’t give him credit for anything. That has to be the classic cut off your nose off spite your face scenario is ever there was one.
From where I sit there is a lot more positives than negatives in what was announced. More detail needs to be released however, on what we’ve been given it is a significant shift in the right direction. More should be encouraged.
If conservative voters want additional things like more coal fired power stations and nuclear power, then give the conservative Government the power to deliver it. Stop playing “I’ll place my bet each way” and stymying the Government in the Senate. Labor, Greens, Independents and cause parties are not the solution. I also ask myself this question. Why would any Government continue to battle against the tide, when so called supporters have tied Governments hands behind their back as they did in 2013 and again in 2016. Why would any decent candidate sign up for that?
As Australians we have always prided ourselves on fairness. Giving people a fair go. I include giving my elected Government a fair go as well, when deserved. As a nation, and to our shame we seem to have lost our way on a fair go. I hope commonsense returns soon. Because identity politics is wrecking this country. When it’s reaches the point where sensible policy is dismissed based on who delivers it and not what it contains that in my humble opinion is insanity.
