Fri, 27th June 2008

Secure and affordable fuel and energy supplies key challenge

Senator Mathias Cormann

Ensuring secure, reliable and affordable fuel and energy supplies is one of the biggest public policy challenges we face as a nation over the next decade according to the Chair of the new Senate Select Committee on Fuel and Energy Mathias Cormann.

"Australians expect secure, reliable and affordable supplies of energy and fuel," Senator Cormann said.

"Our aim as a nation is to achieve that energy security in a way that is environmentally sustainable.

"Supply and affordability are under serious pressure from a combination of domestic and international factors at a time when we are also grappling with how best to ensure environmental sustainability by reducing emissions.

"The Senate Select Committee on Fuel and Energy will investigate in depth the dynamics that are impacting upon our energy future, in particular the extent to which current state and federal government policies are adding to those pressures.

"This process will give a voice to families and business as well as industry experts and policy makers.

"No doubt the activities of the Committee will generate a lot of public debate on what is a very important challenge for the future.

"There are many questions that will need to be answered, for example in relation to a proposed Emissions Trading Scheme:

• How will it impact on the price of petrol and electricity for families and business?
• How will it impact on Australian industry, the economy and jobs?

• Are there renewable energy sources capable of providing a reliable base-load power supply into our capital cities?
• What would be appropriate transition arrangements into an Emissions Trading Scheme?

The other members of the Senate Select Committee on Fuel and Energy are Senators David Bushby, Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, Steve Fielding, Steve Hutchins, Barnaby Joyce and Anne McKewen.