The minister will say the Queensland government’s rejection of renewable energy was aimed at appeasing local opponents, such as conservative MPs, and “ignoring the local supporters”.
His speech will feature the anecdote of fifth-generation cattle farmer Tracey Richards, who has been critical of the Crisafulli government after her income from hosting turbines was spoiled by the shelving of the Moonlight Range Wind Farm project near Rockhampton.
She has argued her family property would have benefited from the steady income as it grapples the volatility of the cattle industry.
“The project was cancelled by the Queensland government, despite there being no other homes near it, and the project having the strong support of most of her neighbours,” Watt will say to the conference.
“Little wonder Tracey said her family feels like ‘collateral damage of politics over project merit’.
“Shortsighted decisions like this only make it harder for the Queensland government to reduce power bills or achieve their own emission reduction targets.
“And all the while, sending a message to investors that Queensland doesn’t want their business.”
Premier David Crisafulli has said he will stick to the previous Labor government’s net zero emissions by 2050 target but will repeal its renewable energy target.
The LNP government has also said it will run its network of state-owned coal-powered plants beyond the 2035 date the former Labor government committed to ending Queensland’s reliance on coal.
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