Regional Energy Supply

In reply to the Hon. R.A. SIMMS ().26 September 2023).

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries): The Minister for Energy and Mining has advised in principle, the Malinauskas Labor government is opposed to the privatisation of essential services.

The government believes that privatising the network by the then Liberal administration was a foolish decision which has resulted in suboptimal outcomes for consumers. However, restoring the electricity network to public ownership would be a complex and expensive undertaking.

Any consideration of such a change would require thorough analysis rather than superficial thinking.