Hazelwood

 Shadow Minister for Energy and Resources, David Southwick

Comments attributable to Shadow Minister for Energy and Resources David Southwick:
It appears Daniel Andrews has finally got his way with his ideologically driven plan to close Hazelwood regardless of the loss of jobs and the extra cost to energy consumers.
The almost certain closure will cost over 1,000 jobs and cause enormous damage to the Latrobe Valley.
Victorians are already paying high energy costs and the closure of Hazelwood will mean increases in power bills of up to 25% according to analysis by Frontier Economics.
Despite this impending upheaval, Daniel Andrews has no plan for jobs and no plan for affordable electricity prices.
Comments attributable to Member for Morwell Russell Northe:
The Latrobe Valley is in the midst of a jobs crisis that has only worsened with Labor’s cuts to vital employment programs and the imposition of hundreds of millions in taxes on electricity generators.
The closure of Hazelwood has been Labor’s policy since 2010 – Daniel Andrews is getting his wish but it is clear he has no plan for the future of the Latrobe Valley.
This is a divisive Premier who puts politics ahead of people.

Media contact: Alexander Baranikow 0438 838 322 alexander.baranikow@opposition.vic.gov.au