FROM THE POLLIES Shane King

We’ve started 2023 with the Queensland Labor government firing on all cylinders (pardon my motor-enthusiast pun – I was just out at Lakeside Raceway!)

With power prices biting hard on household and business budgets, I’m proud to be part of a Labor state government doing something about it through our Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan Transitioning to cleaner energy will make powering our lives more affordable and more reliable, as well as opening up a new world of jobs, while leaving no existing workers behind with our jobs guarantee

I know workers in the supply industry are excited – it was great to have a chat about our plans with my former Powerlink colleagues recently, and to hear about their work on the Borumba Pumped Hydro project I also stopped by for another look at the fantastic new Electrogroup training centre at Pinkenba (pictured), where around 750 apprentices will be trained for new jobs in renewable energy, and where tens of thousands of already qualified tradies can upskill or re-train in this rapidly evolving sector

Since the election of the Palaszczuk Government (including me!) in 2015, we ’ ve invested over $10 billion in renewable energy in Queensland, generating around 8000 construction jobs and delivering close to 6000 megawatts in capacity It’s not surprising that well over 700,000 Queensland homes and countless businesses have already made the switch to renewable – we have the values to drive a cleaner, cheaper legacy and we have the skills to see it through

Lance McCallum

Queensland’s very first neighbourhood batteries power renewables revolution

Neighbourhood batteries are being installed in Goodna and Redbank Plains to take our renewable energy revolution to the streets, thanks to the hard work and expertise of Energex workers These locally-made batteries lower power costs for homes through more clean, cheap power and greater network security by storing excess solar and pumping it back into the grid during peak periods

A total of 35 batteries are being installed across Ipswich following a successful trial at our local Energex depot at Raceview It’s all about delivering more good jobs through reliable, clean energy for our local community

Flood recovery milestones continue

Another milestone in our flood recovery has been marked with the demolition of the first homes in Goodna voluntary bought back under the $741 million Resilient Homes Fund The land will be re-zoned for community use like parkland and sports fields, enabling impacted locals to look to the future with greater certainty

“It’s now a little more than one year since ETU crews supported my local Bundamba community in their time of need with free electrical safety checks following the floods, something both myself and the community will always be incredibly grateful for Operation Energise restored power to more than 50 properties, providing people with a huge boost at a time when many had lost everything ”

Supporting the national Voice referendum and Queensland’s Path to Treaty

Later this year we will all have our say at a referendum to improve the lives of Indigenous Australians

“The Voice to Parliament is about two things – recognition and consultation – and I’m proud to use my voice to support the Voice.”

In Queensland, our shared Path to Treaty has marked a significant milestone with laws that will enshrine a framework for Treaty in Queensland with a First Nations Treaty Institute and a Truth Telling and Healing Inquiry

This latest step builds on the Path to Treaty we embarked upon together You can learn more about our Path to Treaty at wwwqldgovau/firstnations/treaty

Our Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan

Our Queensland Energy and Jobs plan will keep our energy assets in public hands, deliver over 100,000 new jobs, drive $62 billion in investment and power 70% of our energy supply with renewables by 2032

It also includes the very first Energy Workers Charter signed by unions, employers and government to provide world-leading job security

Together we will build the Queensland SuperGrid connecting solar, wind, battery and hydrogen generators; Queensland’s first hydrogen ready gas turbine; two new pumped hydro energy storages at Pioneer/Burdekin and Borumba Dam; unlock 22GW of new renewable capacity, 115GW of rooftop solar and 6GW of embedded batteries; and convert publicly owned coal fired-power stations to clean energy hubs with jobs guaranteed

“This is a once in a generation opportunity for more good, highly skilled jobs through clean, cheap and secure power ”

In solidarity

Lance McCallum MP Member for Bundamba Assistant Minister for Hydrogen Development and the 50% Renewable Energy

by 2030 Target