Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher

JOURNALIST: Wholesale power prices have risen sharply in the last quarter. Are you concerned what this means for consumers?

SENATOR THE HON KATY GALLAGHER, SENATOR FOR THE ACT: Well, sure. I mean, cost-of-living is impacting households right across Australia. I think that’s why in the Budget we had our energy electricity bill rebate that will start kicking in to help people with some of those costs. But we are seeing in, particularly in wholesale prices, them coming down considerably. So you know, this is going to be an ongoing piece of work for the government. You know, how do we make the transition to renewable energy at the same time while helping households with some of those increasing costs?

JOURNALIST: Low renewable energy generation was part of the reason why we saw higher prices. Does this validate the Opposition’s argument that we need power sources like nuclear for when the sun doesn’t shine and the wind doesn’t blow?

GALLAGHER: No. I don’t think so. And I think you’ve seen in reports as well today that you know, the idea that small modular nuclear reactors are going to be able to be deployed is probably pretty fanciful at the moment. I mean, I think the nuclear debate really is a distraction from what actually needs to happen, which is – we need to make that transition, we need firming energy at the same time, which is why gas is an important firming fuel while we make that transition, but the future of the energy system is renewable. It’s the cheapest form of energy and we need to make sure we stay focused on that.

JOURNALIST: You mentioned gas. Are we bringing enough gas online quick enough?

GALLAGHER: Yes, well, the Government is focused on that. We’ve got the gas strategy, which is all about making sure that we do have enough domestic gas to make sure that we are you know – have that option of the firming when the sun doesn’t shine or the wind doesn’t blow, that we’re able to make sure that we’ve got the right energy mix. And you know, this is where I think the government’s navigating straight down the middle. We’re not, you know, pretending that you can just switch to renewables. You have to have gas as part of that mix. But we’re also not pretending that you can dream up an entire different new power system through nuclear and deliver the results that we need. So, that’s why we need to stay focused on what we do, but cost-of-living is important, energy bills do hit households, and that’s why we’ve got those rebates flowing through to every household across Australia.

JOURNALIST: On cost-of-living, there’s new analysis by KPM which shows Australia is in a baby recession. Is this a bit of an indictment on Labor’s efforts to ease those cost-of-living pressures on young Australians in particular?

GALLAGHER: Look, I think people make decisions about whether or not they have children for a number of reasons. You know, I think our job is to make, is to ensure that people are able to make those decisions, whatever they are. So, we need to make sure that we’re making life easier for people, which is why some of the investments we’ve been putting in parental leave, in child care, to make child care cheaper, but also dealing with some of those cost-of-living pressures – you know, it means that people are in a position to make those decisions, whatever they may be. And we’ll continue to be focused on that because that’s the government’s job, we can’t control who has children and when. That’s an individual decision. But we can make sure that we’re trying to make life a bit easier for people.

JOURNALIST: And just on another topic, your government’s giving millions for consent education, but states and independent schools can decide how they want to spend it. Why isn’t Labor being more specific in how this money should be spent?

GALLAGHER: Well, you know, in terms of our agreements with states and territories – I think that we’re – who run the public education system – we can have those discussions. I think the independent and private systems do have a level of autonomy. I mean, we’re making it clear what we think needs to happen. And I think from many of the discussions I’ve had with the private Independent Schools Association, they are keen on this too. There is an issue in schools that we need to make sure we’re reaching young people about the importance of consent education. And we’ll keep focused on that. It’s not just our programs in schools, it’s also some of the campaigns you’ve seen run out more broadly around the issues around consent, including teaching parents about what consent means. So, this is part of the solution. It’s not all of it, but it is important we reach into schools.

JOURNALIST: Back on the power issue, Tim Buckley from Clean Energy Finance was on – yeah, Climate Energy Finance – was on News Radio this morning. He has concerns there’s price gouging in the energy sector. Do you have those concerns and should the ACCC look into any of these concerns?

GALLAGHER: Well, the ACCC has, in a sense, a standing responsibility to make sure that any issues or concerns around price gouging are being investigated. So if there are, you know, the ACCC is there and ready to do that. I would say you know, people look at this data pretty closely. We have a number of regulatory bodies that examine all of the issues around electricity pricing around the country. And so I have no doubt that if there are concerns, and those concerns are serious, they would be investigated.

JOURNALIST: Could the government frontbench benefit from a bit of a refresh? There’s rumours that a reshuffle is imminent.

GALLAGHER: Well those obviously are matters above my pay grade. They are matters for the Prime Minister.

JOURNALIST: But do you think it could be good to have a bit of a change?

GALLAGHER: I mean, I turn up and do the job that I’ve been asked to do every day. You know, we’ve had a very strong cabinet ministry and caucus. We’re united and our focus is on cost-of-living. That’s what everyone gets up and considers every day in every portfolio, but matters around who does what – I serve at the request of the PM and you know, any matters around changing that are a matter for him.

JOURNALIST: The Public Service Commission is looking at perceptions of corruption in the public service – given the revelations about the CFMEU recently, how worried are you about corruption in Commonwealth procurement?

GALLAGHER: Look I mean, we run – again, there’s a number of integrity bodies and any concerns about Commonwealth procurement, you know, there are pathways to have those investigated if there are. I mean, we have Commonwealth Procurement Rules. We have legislation in place that guards – you know, or directs agencies, how they conduct themselves. We have the National Anti-Corruption Commission there to investigate any allegations of corruption or any other concerns around Commonwealth procurement. So, I think the system we have in place is strong and it’s – I think, you know, the work that the government’s doing post some of these revelations in the media are important. Like the work that Minister King is doing across big infrastructure projects to make sure, you know – she’s asked her department for any information of any concerns they have and you know, if there are, we will work through them.

JOURNALIST: Has the government reached out to French authorities following the alleged rape of an Australian woman in Paris, and I guess how concerned are you with the Olympics coming up that this is happening to an Australian?

GALLAGHER: Yeah look, shocking reports coming out about the allegations concerning a young Australian woman. I mean, it’s everyone’s worst nightmare happening anywhere in the world, but alone and overseas – I think for anyone who’s, anyone who thinks about their own kids, families – this is awful. I understand that she’s been given appropriate support. Of course, there would be involvement from Commonwealth agencies, both to her and her family. But yes, I imagine you know, I’m just hopeful – I think she’s getting all the support she needs. It’s going to be a long and difficult journey for her and I understand the police in France are taking this matter seriously and investigating it as they should.

JOURNALIST: Minister, just on power prices, can you guarantee power prices will be cheaper under Labor’s renewable plan compared to the Coalition’s nuclear one? And have you done modelling on that?

GALLAGHER: Well, I think all the evidence is clear from AEMO reports that renewables is the cheapest form of energy, which is why we’re following that path. Plus, you know, we are a lucky country, rich in the resources that could fuel a renewable energy system and the jobs and the economic opportunities that come with that. And you know, there’s a lot of data about that. Unfortunately, the Opposition haven’t costed their policy. But based on what experts would say, nuclear is a much more expensive option. Not only more expensive, but also not going to happen for another 20 to 30 years. So, we need to do this transition now. We can’t afford to wait for nuclear and you know, really, I don’t think households can afford the cost of nuclear.

JOURNALIST: But the AEMO report says renewables aren’t simply generating enough energy and they’d have to turn to gas to make up the difference. Doesn’t that show the country can’t run on renewable energy?

GALLAGHER: Well, we’ve been clear there is a role for gas. We’re not pretending that you can do everything on renewables in the short term, that there is an important role as a firming source of energy for gas to continue, which is why you’re seeing, you know, approvals for further exploration of gas reserves. I mean, we’ve been very clear about that. And I don’t, you know – so yes, we need gas, but we need to increase the amount of renewables, which is why you’re seeing so much more renewables come into the grid and you’ll see more of that under a Labor government.