THE NATIONALS PLAN FOR CHEAPER ELECTRICITY AND SECURE JOBS
- 4 November, 2025
The Nationals Party Room has rejected Labor’s Net Zero fantasy and endorsed an all-energy approach that will deliver the lowest possible energy prices for Australian households and businesses.
Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien said the Albanese Labor Government’s reckless reliance on expensive and unreliable intermittent electricity is costing jobs and hurting Australian families.
“Energy is the economy; it feeds into the price of everything. When Labor lost control of the price of electricity, they lost control of the cost of living for Australians and this is absolutely as a result of their extreme Net Zero policies,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Electricity prices are up by 39 per cent and gas prices are up by 42 per cent. Meanwhile, real wages have dropped back to 2011 levels, and 8500 manufacturing jobs have been lost.
“On Saturday I moved the motion at the National Party Federal Council urging the parliamentary team to abandon Net Zero and focus on the need to deliver the lowest possible electricity prices for Australian households and businesses, while maintaining reliability,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The Nationals put one priority above all else: delivering the lowest electricity prices for Australian families and businesses.
“Cheap, reliable power must come first, and that means abandoning Labor’s costly Net Zero agenda and refocusing on what keeps energy affordable. Our approach is grounded in common sense. Australia should only reduce emissions in line with comparable nations, not ahead of them, as we have been doing.
“Local communities know their land and should take the lead on practical environmental initiatives, from improving waterways to restoring soil, that’s where we’ll be investing.
“We support all technologies that deliver low-cost, reliable power, including coal, gas, and nuclear.
“Above all, Australia must never compromise its quality of life, jobs, industry, or national security in the pursuit of ideology. The best environmental and economic policy is one that keeps power bills down and safeguards our nation’s prosperity.
“If we continue down Labor’s reckless plan, Australians will only feel more pain, with the estimated cost of Net Zero at $7 to $9 trillion, or $300,000 per Australian,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Labor’s Net Zero path is completely unsustainable and threatens the environment, the economy, our security and the services that Australians rely on and expect from Government.”
The Nationals approach will increase investment in cheaper electricity by broadening the Capacity Investment Scheme to include all energy technologies and remove the moratorium on nuclear energy.
“Labor’s Net Zero, wind, solar and green hydrogen madness is so removed from reality that it’s enough to rival any children’s fantasy story and unfortunately, Australians are paying its very high price,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The Nationals are in the business of putting Australia first and we have an energy plan that is cheaper, better and fairer,” Mr O’Brien said.
