ANGUS TAYLOR: Well, as a government, we've been resolute in our view that there  needs to be enough dispatchable capacity in the market to balance the rapid record  levels of investment we're seeing in renewables and it's why today's announcement from Origin, the closure of Eraring early in 2025, is a great disappointment. It's a disappointment to the workers in the Lake Macquarie region, but it's also a  disappointment for the electricity grid.

But we will work with the New South Wales Government and the private sector to make sure there is appropriate replacement and this continued focus on affordable, reliable  energy. We have a strong track record on this. We supported the Kurri Kurri gas generator in the Hunter Valley. We're building the Snowy 2.0 Project. We're supporting the Tallawarra gas generator in the Illawarra being built by Energy Australia. We're supporting the Port Kembla gas project. We're supporting, of course, the billion dollar grid reliability fund and $500 million in transmission projects around the country.

These are critical projects. It's clear, and we feel vindicated in the focus on these projects that have been opposed by many, including the Labor Party. And it's a disappointment. Disappointing and it's been disappointing for many years to see the opposition from so many, to those projects. They are crucial, because affordable, reliable energy is what Australians families, households and businesses rely on every day. We will remain resolute in our focus on making sure there is balance in the grid and there is affordable, reliable energy for all Australians.

JOURNALIST: Minister, with the accelerating timeframes for the closure of coal fired power stations that we're seeing, not just this one, but other ones, will that lead to the government taking a more direct role in seeing the replacement of that technology? You've done it with Kurri Kurri and 2.0. Will that be accelerated to meet the acceleration of coal closure?

ANGUS TAYLOR: Well, we've shown very clearly we will look at all options to make sure that we get enough dispatchable capacity in the market. Our preference is always for the private sector to make those investments. That's why we're encouraging through national cabinet, a capacity mechanism, again imposed by some. But this is crucial to make sure that we have enough capacity coming into the market. We'll work with all players to make sure we've got that. We have a number of projects in the pipeline, including Port Kembla gas project, for instance, and there are others. Snowy 2.0, of course, is being built as we speak. Kurri Kurri I was up there just the other day, is being built as we speak. But this is why these projects matter so much. They really count for those hard working households and small businesses right across Australia.

JOURNALIST: Should you be using this as an opportunity to support development of battery farms rather than looking for another commercial operator to extend the life of the coal fired power station?

ANGUS TAYLOR: Well, we are interested in all technologies and we are investing in a whole range of technologies. We're investing in gas, we're investing in pumped hydro. We're investing in batteries. All of those dispatchful sources of generation are important and will continue to be. I mean, our whole approach to emissions reduction and energy affordability is a balance of technologies. We don't get ideological about technologies. We just want solutions that deliver affordable, reliable energy and emission reductions.

JOURNALIST: Would you agree that those sorts of replacements would be preferable to extending the life of the coal plant?

ANGUS TAYLOR: You know what counts is that we've got affordable reliable energy as we bring down our emissions. So I am resolutely focused on outcomes, on what's happening.

JOURNALIST: Minister just before Question Time when Victoria's Hazelwood Power Station shut down in 2016, prices went up wholesale by 85 per cent. This is a 2800 megawatt site. Origin wants a 700 megawatt battery and the New South Wales Government wants a 700 megawatt battery. That doesn't add up to the power that's being replaced. Isn't there a concern that the transition is going so quickly that there's going to be concerns over power supply and pressure on prices?

ANGUS TAYLOR: That's why I would say to all of those who have opposed those projects that I've just talked about – our list of projects that I've just gone through – get on board, we need these projects coming on board, they are critical. We've backed them – projects like this for a long time. I will continue to as long as I'm Minister. Thank you very much.

[ENDS]