How clever, is the clever country?

Although Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has categorically said there will be no early election and that Australians deserve that his government runs its full term, it could still ‘pop’ anytime from October onwards. Earlier this year, leaked messages revealed that the Prime Minister was expanding his office “as we enter an election year”, casting speculation that Aussies may go to the polls earlier than expected.

 

However, poll results released last Monday indicate that Peter Dutton has taken a slim lead over Anthony Albanese as preferred prime minister. It shows 40 per cent of voters now rank Dutton and the Coalition as best to manage the economy, with only 24 per cent favouring Albanese and Labor.

 

Unfavourable poll results would no doubt have Anthony Albanese rethinking any decisions to hold an early election. Yet the fact remains, regardless of when Aussies line up at the polling booths, how we keep the lights on and keep household energy costs down will be a primary focus; as will airborne coal dust health issues for many Central coast residents.

19 June 2024

ALAN HAYES

 

ANTHONY ALBANESE has become a regular visitor to the Central Coast, which raises the question – why? There’s the usual reasons, such as seeking feedback on the government’s health care budget, but certainly not involving himself in the horrendous heath issues of those ‘Coasties’ living in the suburbs north of Wyong – the issue of airborne coal dust pollution doesn’t get a mention.

 

Robertson and Dobell have always been key election battlegrounds for political parties seeking to grasp the ‘flaming torch of victory’. But the 2022 federal election wasn’t just a ‘walk in the park’ for Reid and McBride – a +3.5% swing for Reid and a +1.4% swing for McBride gave a close result.

 

So, how will the performance of Robertson and Dobell candidates play out in the next election?

 

Gordon Reid is well-liked and continually puts in the effort and works hard for his community, but does he sufficiently understand the airborne coal dust pollution issues that impact on the health of the entire Central Coast, not just Wyong and its northern suburbs?

 

And what about Emma McBride? The Grapevine continually hears grumblings from stalwart Labor supporters who ‘whinge’ that she hides from the main issues, in particular the real health problems from burning fossil fuel.

 

Future Sooner spokesperson Gary Blaschke, who has been involved in the fight to reduce airborne coal dust pollution and coal ash pollution emanating from Eraring and Vales Point power stations, said that he and other members of his group meet with McBride approximately eighteen months ago seeking her support to reduce the incident of injurious and life-threatening health problems from airborne coast dust that are plaguing her constituents.

 

“She wasn’t interested,” said Gary Blaschke.

 

“All she did was try and fob us off. We haven’t heard a word from her since.

 

“We also spoke with Gordon Reid about the coal dust and coal ash issue just after he was elected.

 

“He said he’d come back to us, but he hasn’t.

 

“The pollies don’t want to open up a can of worms! Keeping their heads in the sand for so long is disgusting.”

 

The Central Coast expects its elected members of parliament to not only ‘talk-the-talk’ but to also ‘walk-the-walk’ – Liberal candidates are already in pre-election campaign mode, trying to garner voter support.

 

The Grapevine asked the following of both McBride and Reid: “We would appreciate comment on what the Albanese government can do in respect of the health issues plaguing many individuals on the Central Coast from airborne coal dust pollution, which extends as far as Sydney. I believe representatives of Future Sooner Group met with you about this issue about eighteen months ago, but so far have not heard back from you.”

 

It was also asked: “We also would appreciate comment on your position in regards to renewables verses alternative power generation sources, and if you are in favour of ‘concentrated solar thermal power’ (CSP) plants, of which there are more than 60 now operating in the world - providing clean, green power into the grid systems - 24/7. Australia has none, except for a pilot plant in Newcastle.

 

“For your information, CSP in cheaper and quicker to build than any other form of 24/7 power plant. So far, only the SA Government has encouraged investment into CSP.”

 

Member for Robertson, Gorden Reid said "The Federal Labor Government is committed to ensuring that all Australians have access to reliable, secure, and affordable energy. We support innovative clean energy technologies through ARENA and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation. We are focussed on getting more reliable renewables into the grid through solar, wind, and pumped hydro.

 

"We are making huge investments in renewable energy. These investments will open up Australia’s reliable renewable energy capacity, unleash the investment for jobs and reliable renewable energy, while putting downward pressure on power prices and cutting emissions.

 

"We have expanded the Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) which provides a national framework to encourage new investment in renewable capacity, such as wind and solar, as well as clean dispatchable capacity, such as battery storage. We have made big investments in renewable energy such as the Liddell Power Station which is being converted into a solar panel manufacturing hub.

 

"In recognition of the urgent need to address the health risks associated with climate change, the Federal government launched Australia’s first National Health and Climate Strategy. The National Health and Climate Strategy sets out a whole-of-government plan to address the health and wellbeing impacts of climate change and address the contribution of the health system to climate change.”

 

There was no reply from Emma McBride.

 

Past promises

 

Remember PEP11? Back in November 2021, Anthony Albanese called a press conference on the sunny sands of the Central Coast and announced that he would personally ensure that Petroleum Exploration Permit 11, stretching off the coast between Sydney and Newcastle, would not go ahead and said “only Labor will stop PEP11”.

 

“The reason why we’re here today,” he said, “is to announce, that after careful consideration, the first step if elected is to formally reject an application for the petroleum export permit, known as PEP11.”

 

The announcement was met with joy by campaign groups who’d fought for years against the proposed offshore gas field, which would, if it had gone ahead, been the first off the Australian east coast.

 

Not to be outdone, a month later then Prime Minister Scott Morrison made the same commitment at Terrigal Surf Club and said PEP11 “will not proceed on our watch.”

 

Just like the Albanese promise, it was taken with a grain of salt. Little wonder, both announcements were made with a federal election looming, in one of the most marginal seats in the country. Interestingly, at the same time Morrisson announced PEP11 was dead, he seamlessly pivoted to also announce a $235 million commitment from the government to open up new gas in the Beetaloo, Galilee and North Bowen Basins.

 

But the fact remains, neither the previous federal government or the current Albanese Government ‘killed off’ the PEP11 proposal. It was the NSW Minns Labor Government that dealt the deathly blow, when it announced that it would no longer support offshore oil and gas exploration, specifically rejecting renewal of PEP11 as a joint authority member. The decision effectively ended any prospect of the licence being renewed.

 

How do the politicians intend to keep the lights burning brightly?

 

There’s little doubt that once an election date is announced the political engine, on both sides of politics, will be frantically trying to seduce voters that their way is the only way to reduce electricity bills and to provide power for the nation.

 

But how hard do the pollies really want to move away from burning fossil fuel and to stop people dying unnecessarily from cancers and suffering other debilitating disease caused by burning fossil fuel?

 

The Albanese Government sees renewable energy as the future, yet, surprisingly, last Saturday when, Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen announced that the Illawarra offshore wind zone had been given the green light, he said that it wasn’t part of the government’s overall renewable energy strategy. This comment came after he said “the project struck the right balance between protecting the marine environment and helping secure the nation's energy future.”

 

The prospect of hosting offshore wind farms along the Illawarra coast, as it did off Norah Head, sparked fierce debate within the seaside community.

 

The future

 

While the political hot air continues to blow to secure our energy future, are we going to see energy companies willing to move away from fossil fuel, or are the claims of a ‘green utopia’ nothing more than a gigantic shell game?

 

Gary Blaschke, who, for several years sat on Origin Energy’s Community Consultative Committee - the owners of Eraring power station -  said “I have asked many hard questions on behalf of our community, during which time the committee was continually being told how Origin was looking at solar and battery storage.

 

“We have asked if the prospect of a Brookfield takeover would guide them to wind power, without any answers?

 

“Now we hear that Origin Energy’s chief executive, Frank Calabria, says they are looking to minimise the company’s ownership of wind and solar assets as part of their strategy to boost investor returns.

 

“Is it all about profits, whilst being supported with taxpayers money and to continue to destroy the environment and impact on resident’s health.”

 

If the current federal government wanted to shed fossil fuel completely, so that Australia meets its 2050 net zero target, why doesn’t it follow what other countries are now doing and actively encourage private investment into concentrated solar thermal power (CSP)?

 

It’s no big secret, as previously reported by the Grapevine on numerous occasions, that CSP is 24/7 green power – the power plants are cheaper and quicker to build than wind farms and will provide into the grid the guaranteed electricity that is needed. An intermittent electricity supply from renewables will only keep fossil fuels in the mix – gas fired power advertisements have been popping up on television screens more frequently.

 

While our government is not talking about CSP, the Australian Solar Thermal Research Institute (ASTRI) is talking about it! So, why aren’t our politicians listening?

 

Dominic Zaal, Director of ASTRI, said “CSP stores solar energy in the form of high temperature renewable heat, which can then be used to produce power at any time of day or night. In essence, CSP is a technology that time-shifts solar energy to when you need renewable power the most – which is at night.

 

“CSP provides a fully dispatchable form of renewable energy. It operates just like a coal-fired coal plant, using the same type of steam turbine at the same temperature with the same power output, but without the emissions. Instead of burning coal, it uses stored heat from the sun to produce steam for power production.

 

“Because it uses the same type of turbine, CSP also offers frequency control and ancillary services, but without the emissions, allowing our grids to be cleaner.

 

“CSP is gaining momentum around the world as a clean, reliable and low cost renewable energy solution for night-time power generation. There are now over 60 CSP plants operating around the globe in countries with good solar radiation.

 

“To date Australia has not built CSP systems because the current electricity market does not recognise the value of long-duration renewable power generation overnight.”

 

Where does Dutton stand on renewable energy in Australia’s future?

 

The world is moving away from fossil fuels in general and coal in particular. There are great economic and environmental opportunities in renewable energy, yet the Australian Liberal Party is trying to keep Australia tied to nineteenth century power technologies, while the rest of the world adopts renewables, innovation and progress. (The smaller National Party of Australia,which has been in coalition with the Liberals whenever the latter were in power, are just as, or even more, opposed to progress on renewable energy).

 

The Australian Liberal Party has shown many signs of not wanting to do anything to reduce Australia's greenhouse gas production rate, which is one of the highest in the world on a per-capita basis. And National’s Barnaby Joyce, as previously reported, has described renewable energy development as a “swindle” and wind turbines as “filth", and National Party Leader David Littleproud has suggested that Australia should downgrade its Paris Agreement commitments.

 

Dutton, however, recently told Sky News that the Coalition supported renewable energy going into the system, but continues to push an energy policy that would be more heavily reliant on gas and the eventual construction of nuclear power generators. So, where do renewables fit in?

 

What about our local patch?

 

Standing against Dobell incumbent Emma McBride is Liberal candidate Brendan Small. Mr Small, a local businessman, who is well-known for his involvement in the local community, but where does he stand on energy policies?

 

The Grapevine asked the following: “As the Liberal candidate for Dobell, we would appreciate comment on your position in regards to renewables verses alternative power generation sources, and if you are in favour of ‘concentrated solar thermal power’ (CSP) plants, of which there are more than 60 now operating in the world - providing clean power into the grid systems. Australia has none, except for a pilot plant in Newcastle.”

 

“Our community has been struggling under the Labor cost of living crisis, including high energy prices – despite Mr Albanese repeatedly promising a $275 reduction in power bills, power prices have gone up by 20 to 30 per cent over the last two years." Brendan Small said.

 

"Energy bills, along with grocery prices, are having an outsized impact on household budgets. And the impact of energy costs on small businesses is driving up costs for households as well, as businesses are forced to pass on these increasing costs. This is why the Liberal Party will be taking to the election policies that embrace a balanced mix of technologies to reduce energy prices, restore reliability and cut emissions. This approach will consider a range of technologies dictated by the nation’s needs and support of the market.

 

"In the meantime, I will continue listening to residents and businesses across the electorate and speaking up for their concerns.”

 

Let the race begin

 

So really, how clever is the clever country? We're falling behind the rest of the world when it comes to clever ways in which to generate 24/7 clean, green energy into the grid. Yet when the election is called, there will no doubt be a lot of pontificating about who can lead Australia into that energy ‘Shangri-La’.

 

Meanwhile, we have politicians blowing a lot wind announcing wind farms, which have a lifespan of 25 years, suffer a 10 per cent breakdown after the first years, are expensive to build and kill off a lot fauna as well – land and marine life. While other politicians are hoping the sun will shine down upon them with solar farms and massive battery storage (that has to be replaced after fourteen years) will be the answer; then others are climate deniers with no real answer at all – except fossil fuel or nuclear madness.

 

Intermittent wind and solar electricity generation, and battery storage, is not the 24/7 key to a guaranteed energy supply!

 

Pumped hydro is expensive and problematic - the major issues associated with pumped storage hydropower plants lie in the scarcity of suitable sites for two reservoirs and a pumping station to be built with considerable elevation difference. It needs the right geography to work properly and is not 100 per cent efficient.

 

And what about the super battery being built at the decomissioned Lidell power plant site? According to Dominic Zaal, for the same investment of $785 million, a 100MW CSP plant could have been built, which would have provided 24/7 electricity into the grid. Not two hours of peak power to only 60,000 homes!

 

CSP, which is the obvious solution, which has a lifespan exceeding fifty years and is less expensive to run compared to alternative power generation solutions – so, why aren’t our politicians embracing it and encouraging greater private investment to get it up and running? They certainly know about it!