Statement from Queensland Acting Energy Minister Cameron Dick

Queensland is pleased that Minister Frydenberg has accepted Queensland’s position that we need the Commonwealth legislation to go through the Federal Coalition party room first.

The Coalition party room is the biggest risk to energy and price stability - and has been for 10 years – so we need that party room certainty.

Queensland still has other concerns, which were expressed at the meeting:

• The 26 per cent emissions reduction target is inadequate.
• The target should not be able to be decreased.
• The target must be able to increase as technology changes, without becoming hostage to extremists and climate change denialists in the Federal Coalition party room and in the Commonwealth Parliament.
• We need certainty about emissions reduction and growth in renewables to secure cheaper power and to allow Australians to enjoy the reliable supply that Queenslanders enjoy - because we did not sell our assets.

 Queensland has raised these issues previously and we look forward to seeing them addressed through the Federal process.

 [ENDS]

Contact: Jan Martin 0439 341 314