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Energy Minister Chris Bowen declined to specify when Australians will see cheaper electricity prices under the government's climate plan, despite announcing $75 billion in total energy spending while defending renewable energy projects against regional opposition.
Speaking in Penrith today, Bowen deflected repeated questions about when energy subsidies will end and when consumers can expect lower power bills, instead pointing to independent modeling and existing programs.
"I'd point you to the modelling, the AEMC modelling yesterday. That's not a political promise. It's a statement of modelling by expert agencies," Bowen said when asked for price relief projections.
The minister confirmed government energy expenditure has reached approximately $75 billion following yesterday's $8.5 billion investment announcement, contrasting this with what he described as Opposition Leader Peter Dutton's $600 billion nuclear plan.Truth matters. Quality journalism costs.
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"Yesterday we announced an $8.5 billion investment. That takes total government expenditure to around $75 billion, which is a lot less than $600 billion," Bowen said.
Regional Renewable Energy Pushback
Bowen strongly defended renewable energy expansion plans against criticism from regional communities concerned about increased transmission infrastructure and project impacts.
"People west of the Great Dividing Range want action on climate change. They live it every day. They see climate change. They see farm profits falling. They see natural disasters increasing," he said.
The minister specifically criticized the National Party's position on climate action, arguing rural constituents support renewable energy despite their political representatives' opposition.
"Farmers get it. The National Party doesn't get it, but farmers get it," Bowen said. "I know the National Party doesn't get it, but their communities get it. And they get that there's great benefits, potentially, for renewable energy."
Bill Reduction Programs Show Results
The minister cited recent success in electricity bill reduction programs, claiming 60,000 people have cut their power costs by up to 90% since July 1.
"60,000 people have reduced their bills by up to 90%. That's just in, you know, since the 1st of July," Bowen said, acknowledging more work remains to be done.
When pressed about whether subsidies will always be necessary to maintain lower prices, Bowen avoided direct commitment to ending government support programs.
"We'll always calibrate budget support in each budget cycle and that's what we've done and we'll continue to do," he said.
Community Consultation Improvements
Bowen acknowledged previous shortcomings in community consultation for renewable energy projects while outlining measures to improve stakeholder engagement.
"I believe it needed to be improved, and it has been improved, and we'll continue to work on improving it," he said.
The minister detailed specific initiatives including a developer rating scheme and appointments designed to strengthen community voices in the planning process.
"We commissioned Andrew Dyer, the former infrastructure commissioner, to look at community consultation. Tony Maher, the current infrastructure commissioner, former chief executive of the Farmers Federation, whom I appointed to that job, is doing a great job, ensuring that communities have a proper voice in this process," Bowen said.
Rural Community Engagement
Despite acknowledging renewable energy development challenges, Bowen maintained that regional Australians broadly support climate action and clean energy projects when properly implemented.
"This idea that somehow people who live east of the Blue Mountains support action on climate change and people in the West oppose it, it's just not right. It's just not true," he said.
The minister emphasized that planning systems exist to evaluate project appropriateness while highlighting potential economic benefits for regional communities from renewable energy development.
"Not every proposal's in the right place at the right time, but that's what the planning system's for. But also, people in regional Australia, there's strong support for renewable energy," Bowen said.
Net Zero Cost Considerations
When asked about total net zero costs by 2050, Bowen referenced the $75 billion budget commitment while arguing that inaction would prove more expensive.
"The total cost of not achieving net zero, as is outlined in the National Risk Assessment, is many times more than that," he said.
The minister's comments come as the government faces continued pressure over energy costs and implementation of its 2035 climate targets announced this week.
Bowen's appearance in western Sydney follows the government's announcement of a 62% to 70% emissions reduction target by 2035, which has drawn criticism from both environmental groups seeking higher ambition and opposition parties questioning achievability and costs.
The minister's reluctance to provide specific timelines for price relief may fuel continued political debate over the government's energy transition strategy and its impact on household budgets.
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