JEREMY LEE: The Minister for Energy, Angus Taylor will be speaking at a community forum this morning in Terang. I understand Dan Tehan, the Member for Wannon, has invited Angus Taylor here. You'll be able to meet them both this morning at the Civic Hall in Terang, and Angus Taylor is with us this morning as well. I understand he's just arrived in fact at Essendon Airport. Angus Taylor, good morning to you.

ANGUS TAYLOR: Good morning, Jeremy.

JEREMY LEE: Now what is the main reason for your visit to the South West today?

ANGUS TAYLOR: It's to talk to the community about the issues they've had with the fires obviously - the St Patrick's Day fire - I was down for those fires, I was the Minister for Emergency Services and Law Enforcement at the time. So I saw the devastation, of course, we know that downed power lines have [indistinct] contributed to those fires and it's crucial now that we not only ensure that the companies make appropriate amends - we ensure this never happens again. They'll be talking to the community about that - I've been talking to Powercor about exactly this issue in recent weeks and it's absolutely crucial we get resolution as quickly as possible.

JEREMY LEE: The community certainly have been very vocal with their concerns about some of that infrastructure and power poles and so on. What are you really wanting to hear from this forum today? What are you hoping to perhaps hear that you haven't already heard or aren't already aware of?

ANGUS TAYLOR: Well look, I really want to hear direct from the community what they think the solution is - what they think we've got to do, has got to be done in order to solve this problem and there's nothing like hearing it from the horse's mouth. Now, I'm in an electorate which is quite similar to Wannon and I know when you have these - because I've had exactly the same issues occur several years - it's crucial to understand firsthand from the relevant people, the people who've been affected, what their issues are. Importantly, also, I need to be able to be very clear with Powercor about what they need to do and with the Victorian Government - we've been in touch with both. It is absolutely essential now that we get the right actions in place. That means the right pole inspection policy because we know poles were responsible for several of these fires - that they be replaced at an appropriate time, that there be no possible slippage on that. I'll be talking to the community about how best to achieve that and going back to Powercor and say: "Well, this is what I think works out".

JEREMY LEE: What are the various levels of responsibility here as well then? When we talk about the various levels of government and state governments, federal governments, how much are you actually able to do in your role as Energy Minister?

ANGUS TAYLOR: Well look, safety is a state issue - there's no doubt about that. The Australian Energy Regulator focuses on the economic side of regulation of the transmission networks, but the states deal with the safety issues. Nonetheless, we have a view that it's crucial that those safety regulations and those safety laws be properly in place and enforced and you know, we will make sure we use every bit of influence we have to ensure that happens and that's exactly why I'm here. Despite the fact that this is, strictly speaking, a state responsibility, I think it is well within our rights to make our views known about what needs to happen to ensure that we get the right outcome here.

JEREMY LEE: What other influence do you have then apart from, I guess, wanting to speak to or speaking to state governments and power providers and so on? Can you go any further?

ANGUS TAYLOR: Well look, obviously we're negotiating with state governments and with transmission companies, [indistinct] put on whole range of issues particularly on the economic side, all the time. I think we've got every chance of getting them to listen to us, in fact, more than every chance. That relationship we have with them is an important one. It's one where we expect them to do the right thing by the community. I mean I've been very vocal in recent months on the behaviour of some of the energy companies in the electricity market. We make our views very clear on that and we have a good track record in getting them to start to act. So that is exactly what I'll be doing here, but I do want to hear from the community first and foremost about the solution and I will be taking that back to Powercor to make sure we get the right outcome there.

JEREMY LEE: I think in the - well, I'm not sure if it's entirely in the wake of this, but I presume it probably partly is, I think Powercor have announced around $300 million that they will be spending on poles and line replacements over the next sort of four years or so - one of their major projects for that period through to 2025. Is that - I don't know, not knowing what these things cost and what's a reasonable amount, does that sound like a good investment to you?

ANGUS TAYLOR: Well, look, it is really crucial following from what we saw from the fires, the St Patrick's Day fires, but we have a proper inspection and replacement regime in place right across Australia, not just here. Obviously, there, there has been a problem. That regime needs to be an appropriate one and it needs to happen, and that's certainly what I'll be talking to the community about. I know Powercor has been working on this and I've been talking to them about it. But, you know, based on what I hear today, I'll be going back to Powercor and asking them to ensure that we have got an appropriate regime in place, and that the legislative and regulatory regime is right too, and that's an issue for the State Government.

JEREMY LEE: Just as perhaps more widely then, do you see this as being part of a bigger problem about, I don't know, some of the pit falls, perhaps, of privatisation? Is that - can we sort of, partly, look at that as being a contributor here?

ANGUS TAYLOR: Well, look, I just - very close to where I live, I've recently had a fire that has been caused in similar circumstances. And it was a government [indistinct], so I don't think this is specific to who owns it. I think people get ideological about these things. I don't think that's the issue. Look, at the end of the day, you've just got to have an appropriate inspection regime, appropriate replacement regime. We want to play a role in ensuring that occurs. Dan Tehan is the local member, very strong local member, very vocal on this issue, and rightly so. I mean he's a local member, whether it's state, federal, or local, and of course, this crosses all three to some degree. You have a right and an obligation to get out there and barrack for your community, and that's what Dan's been doing, and I'm supporting him in that.

JEREMY LEE: So there's not discussion at all, and I imagine it would be a huge operation to try to move some of this back into government hands? [Laughs]

ANGUS TAYLOR: Well, I don't think that's the issue - that's my point. I mean we've seen similar issues emerge, whether it's private or public ownership. I don't think that's the issue. Actually, from an economic point of view, the Victorian transmission companies have performed better than many of the publicly owned ones in New South Wales and Queensland. So, look, I don't think that's the issue here and I don't think that argument is strong. What is strong is that these companies, whether in public or private ownership, need to do the right thing by local communities, that is absolutely essential. They are very present in those local communities. We all look out every day from our homes when we live in regional areas and we see these power lines. We are at risk if they are not properly maintained. So they must do the right thing.

JEREMY LEE: Alright. Well as you said, a forum happening this morning and I'm sure plenty of people will be keen to have a chat to you at Civic Hall, High Street, Terang - a chance to chat with yourself and also Dan Tehan, Member for Wannon. Angus Taylor, Minister for Energy. Thanks again for your time this morning.

ANGUS TAYLOR: Good on you. Thanks, Jeremy.