Newly installed Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey will ‘carefully consider’ any potential vote on energy policy amid widespread concern from his constituency about rising power prices.
Mr Chaffey listened live as Nationals’ colleague Barnaby Joyce this week introduced his private member’s bill to repeal the government’s Net Zero emissions policy.
Mr Chaffey, the former mayor of Gunnedah, was joined on the floor of the House of Representatives by fellow Nationals MPs Michael McCormack, David Batt, Llew O’Brien and Colin Boyce to hear Mr Joyce speak.
Mr Joyce had earlier described the government’s Net Zero policy as contributing to increased power prices as well as damaging regional industries and local communities.
“The purpose of this Bill is to remove the massive damage to the economy and to the cost of living that has been inflicted on Australia, by reason of the Net Zero policy, its associated targets and supporting legislation,” Mr Joyce said.
“Authentic adherence to Net Zero as a global policy is neither participated in by the majority of the people of the globe, nor enmeshed in the policy structure of the majority of the GDP of the globe.
“For the majority of the globe, Net Zero progresses little further than an appropriate talking point at the appropriate venues for the appropriate audience. Something that may be considered in the future but certainly not to be entertained right now.
“If you want merely one reason, out of so many, to get rid of this lead weight around the neck of Australians it is this: Australia’s Net Zero policy will have no effect on the climate whatsoever, so why do so much damage to yourself in attempting it?”
In a statement to the Gunnedah Times on Wednesday, Mr Chaffey did not confirm nor deny support for the Bill.
“We have yet to hear whether there will be a Parliamentary vote on this issue,” he said.
“The impacts of the surge of solar, wind and battery projects is a matter of some importance in the electorate of Parkes, and I have heard many concerns from constituents about these projects and the devastating impact of energy prices on their cost of living.
“I will be considering this matter carefully ahead of any vote.”
The private member’s bill comes as the government pointed to a new CSIRO report which states Australia’s future electricity system needs a mix of technologies to remain reliable, secure and flexible.
According to Gen Cost – an annual economic report that estimates the cost of building new electricity generation, storage, and hydrogen production in Australia to 2050 – renewables remain the lowest-cost option for new low-emission electricity generation. Gas with carbon capture and storage (CCS) followed by and large-scale nuclear are the next lowest cost options, but as neither is currently used for electricity generation in Australia, both may face longer lead times and first-of-a-kind premiums.
Mr Chaffey’s first sitting of the new parliament follows his official swearing in as the Member for Parkes.
“Very proud and honoured to have been officially sworn in as the Federal Member for Parkes during the opening of the 48th Parliament,” Mr Chaffey said.
“I’m extremely humbled to have been elected to this position and understand what an incredible privilege it is.
“I won’t be taking this job for granted – I’m here to fight for the people of the Parkes electorate and will do my best to ensure we get what we deserve.”
According to the Parliament of Australia, the Constitution provides that every Member of the House of Representatives, before taking his or her seat, must make and subscribe an oath or affirmation of allegiance before the Governor-General or some person authorised by the Governor-General.
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This week Mr Chaffey also delivered his maiden speech. Watch it here.
