My speech to Parliament on 5 November, 2025:
I’m proud to stand here today as a member of a party that is putting Australians first.
In my electorate of Parkes, covering half of New South Wales, I have often heard first-hand the stories of exactly what the rapidly escalating cost of living means to families.
My heart is with the people of this vast electorate who often struggle against the odds to remain on the land.
In recent years, some of these communities and their families have had the added pressure of the conflict and financial impact that can come with living in a Renewable Energy Zone.
They are caught up in arbitrary boundaries that are earmarked to carry the burden of the race towards the unattainable target of Net Zero.
Net Zero might be a great-sounding concept to some who are not facing the prospect of giant transmission towers, wind turbines or solar panels parading across the land that has been in their family for generations.
This infrastructure will impact on livelihoods. It is dividing families and neighbours. It has an impact on the environment.
Speaker,
I am not against wind, solar or battery projects and I am all for reducing emissions.
But Net Zero is not the way to do it. It clusters industrial-sized developments in small communities that are ill-prepared and sometimes ill-suited to the purpose.
It is causing heartache, friction and stress.
To add to these concerns, the Australian Energy Market Operator report released in June 2024 shows plans to expand New South Wales’ five Renewable Energy Zones to 12.
This includes one in North West NSW covering Moree, Narrabri and potentially Gunnedah – some of the best agricultural land the country has to offer – and Broken Hill.
As I said, there may be some solar, wind or battery projects that are ideal for these regions.
But making the communities a Renewable Energy Zone means they face a potential inundation of industrial-sized projects. It is a huge black cloud on the horizon for the Parkes electorate.
Speaker,
The Nationals are putting Australians first with cheaper electricity, secure jobs and lower emissions. Our way forward is cheaper, fairer and better.
The Albanese Labor Government’s Net Zero plan is an impossible task that puts the burden squarely and unfairly on all regional Australians