On 27 June 2025 I asked the Treasurer and Minister for Energy about the LNP's decision to entirely scrap measurement of renewable energy, and renewables targets, in Queensland. You can read my question and his response below, or in Parliament's official record of proceedings (Hansard).
Mr BERKMAN: My question is to the Treasurer and Minister for Energy. Hidden in the government’s budget this week is the news that it will no longer measure what percentage of energy in Queensland comes from renewables. We know the LNP has committed to cutting the state’s existing renewables targets, but does scrapping this measure mean the LNP is entirely abolishing any renewable energy target?
Mr JANETZKI: I thank the honourable member for the question and yes, directly to the question, we have said that we will not be proceeding with renewable energy targets when the Energy Roadmap is delivered later this year. We have been consistent about that. We are committed to net zero. We are committed to emissions reductions, and we have been very clear about that. The Energy Roadmap that we will release by the end of the year will reflect that and will provide the framework that we need for emissions reduction and reliable, affordable and sustainable power for Queenslanders.
I also note for the honourable member that we have made some significant investments in this budget, particularly in CopperString. It is a record $2.4 billion investment. I have long been on the record supporting that project not only for the wealth of the north and the north-west of our great state for the critical minerals that are there and can help power the changing economy and economic base—there are extraordinary opportunities in the north-west in those critical minerals—but also because along CopperString sits some of the best renewable opportunities in the country. I have talked often about the wind around Hughenden that blows at night. It is an outstanding renewable resource and it is an important part of the work that will be done on CopperString to connect up those renewable projects to that 1,100 kilometre line from Townsville to Mount Isa that we will build as we promised.
That is an important investment but I have also put investment into firming capacity with gas peakers and also into small, more manageable pumped hydro projects including Borumba with $355 million, Big T at Cressbrook with $29 million towards it and $50 million for Mount Rawdon with CleanCo. We have made a lot of investments into key projects in the energy system. They are for firming, storage and generation. I would like the honourable member to understand that those are the kinds of investments we have made in this budget and I am happy to stand behind them.
In the 49 seconds remaining, this is the final moment I will have in question time to talk about the budget. I will have a lot to say in reply tonight. Members opposite should not worry about that in question time. I wanted to thank all those people in Treasury who have worked so hard and the honourable members who have worked so hard. From today—when I finish my reply tonight and when we have finished consideration in detail—I cannot wait to get out to Queensland and sell this budget to Queenslanders because this is a good budget. We need to tell Queenslanders about this budget. We need to get out there and talk to them about it. It is great for cost of living and it is great for saving jobs and services. This is a budget that is delivering for Queensland.