- Independent MP Barnaby Joyce criticised proposals to accelerate the renewables transition, calling them a “ripoff” that Australians are paying for.
- Joyce warned that pursuing faster deployment of renewables would not lower costs but could create greater financial strain for households.
Independent MP Barnaby Joyce has strongly condemned calls to speed up Australia’s renewables rollout. He described the proposals as a “ripoff” that ordinary Australians are forced to pay for. On Thursday, December 4, he expressed his outrage during Senate estimates. At the hearing, representatives from the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) faced intense scrutiny from Coalition members. Meanwhile, critics of the Albanese government argue that its aggressive pursuit of net-zero emissions increases electricity costs. Therefore, some have suggested slowing or pausing the transition to renewables to ease financial pressure on households and businesses.
However, AEMC officials rejected these claims. They emphasised that accelerating renewable energy adoption remains the best way to reduce electricity costs over the long term. In particular, they argued that adding more renewable sources to the grid provides a stable and lower-cost energy supply. Furthermore, it supports Australia’s broader decarbonisation goals.
Reacting to the comments, Mr Joyce likened the accelerated renewables rollout to “running faster off a cliff.” Consequently, he warned that it would not prevent serious consequences. “No, it is going to hurt,” he told Sky News Australia. “Just because your path has roses beside it and goes off a cliff, doesn’t mean it won’t hurt when you hit the rocks. Intermittents don’t work. It’s a swindle, it’s a ripoff, and you’re paying, sucker.”
Moreover, Joyce criticised Labour and climate activists. He said they use Australians’ sense of “guilt” over carbon emissions to justify spending billions of taxpayer dollars. Accordingly, he argued that the only reliable and cost-effective solution is to invest in new coal-fired power stations. Joyce also cited China and India as examples of countries strengthening their energy security through coal.
Additionally, he condemned Energy Minister Chris Bowen’s plan to offer free electricity during certain hours. Joyce warned that this would force companies to raise prices at other times. As a result, ordinary households would end up worse off.
In conclusion, Barnaby Joyce stated that Australia’s energy policy, which aims for 83 per cent renewables, risks higher costs and an unreliable supply. Therefore, he emphasised that the government must balance renewables with dependable, traditional energy sources to ensure affordable and secure electricity for all Australians.