National Party Visit to Illawarra Creates Political Uncertainty for Offshore Wind Proposals

The recent visit by The Leader of the National Party to the Illawarra, instigated by the President of Responsible Future (Illawarra Chapter) Inc. Jenny Cullen, has cast new political uncertainties over the proposed offshore wind farm project. Just two days after the Labor government announced the Illawarra offshore wind zone, National Party leader Hon. David Littleproud and Nationals Senator for NSW Ross Cadell visited the region on June 17, 2024. They engaged extensively with local fishing and community groups who oppose the proposal, culminating in a private meeting attended by 100 community members. This engagement deepens the debate over offshore wind projects, highlighting the mix of local concerns and national politics that could substantially affect the project’s future.

A copy of the Media Release announcing the visit of David Littleproud and Ross Cadell can be found here.

Key Points from the Visit

During their visit, The Hon. David Littleproud and Senator Ross Cadell emphasised the unintended consequences of the wind farm project, which was announced by Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen on 15 June by declaring the Illawarra Wind Area. They expressed concerns about the lack of community consultation, potential environmental impacts, and the project’s economic and technical feasibility. David Littleproud clearly stated that should the Coalition get into power in the next election, they would overturn the decision to proceed with offshore wind developments.

What this Means?

The visit by National Party leaders and their commitment to blocking the Illawarra and other wind farm projects has significant implications for developers. The Illawarra Wind Area, is open to submission of Feasibility Applications by developers. Feasibility license applications require substantial investment, and the Nationals’ stance introduces political uncertainty. So would a developer, or those funding the projects, be willing to invest in a proposal that could be overturned if the Labor Party loses the next election. The announcement of the Nationals Leader creates doubt for developers introducing greater levels of political and economic risk.

Hon. David Littleproud emphasised that the upcoming election would serve as a referendum on renewable energy policy. A vote against the Labor government would signal public disapproval of the current rushed approach to renewables across Australia.

However, Hon. David Littleproud also stated that if the Labor government were re-elected, then it would be likely that any investment would have proceeded too far in these offshore wind projects for a future government to overturn the project. So clearly the message is that if we do not want to be looking at offshore wind turbines off our coast, we need a change in government and to Vote Labor Out.

Community Response and Future Actions

The community’s response to the visit was overwhelmingly positive, with many residents expressing gratitude that senior political figures are finally taking their concerns seriously. This contrasts starkly with the perceived lack of engagement from the three Labor representatives in our federal seats—Cunningham (Alison Byrnes), Whitlam (Stephen Jones), and Gilmore (Fiona Phillips).  At the private community meeting, attendees passionately voiced their opposition to the wind farm project, articulating worries about its potential detrimental effects on both the local environment and economy.

Responsible Future Illawarra President Jenny Cullen reiterated the community’s opposition to the project, emphasising the need for due diligence and responsible energy development.

What is the Position of Responsible Future Politically?

As an association, Responsible Future does not endorse any specific political party. However, we will listen to and stand next to any politician who opposes the government’s approach to deploying environmentally, economically, and technologically unsound renewables that threaten our ocean and region. Our primary focus is on advocacy and lobbying to promote community-driven initiatives for a sustainable and responsible future.

So when we oppose the offshore wind proposals and we hear the National and Liberal Party both oppose them, we will listen and stand next to them.

So when we oppose the offshore wind proposals and we hear the National and Liberal Party both oppose them, we will listen and stand next to them. This does not mean we are endorsing either party – but we plan to provide greater visibility to you as a voter on the position of candidates at local, state, and federal elections regarding offshore wind. You can then, if you choose, investigate the other aspects of their energy policy and broader policy positions to determine whether they are candidates you would vote for.

Similarly, we are not endorsing other aspects of a political party’s position on energy policies, such as nuclear. That is something you can investigate and determine for yourself.

Understanding the Coalition

The Coalition in Australian politics consists of a longstanding partnership between the Liberal Party of Australia and the National Party of Australia. This alliance enables the two parties to collaborate effectively to form a government and collectively oppose the Labor Party.

Peter Dutton, the Leader of the Opposition, announced on June 18, 2024, that the Liberal Party does not support the offshore wind proposal and would reverse it if they come to power. With both Peter Dutton and David Littleproud united against the offshore wind proposals, this stance offers voters a clear understanding of the position of the Coalition ahead of the next federal election. This unity also introduces significant uncertainty for developers, given the potential for changes in government with the upcoming federal election.

Final Thoughts….

The visit by National Party leaders to the Illawarra has highlighted the political and financial uncertainties surrounding the proposed offshore wind farm project. As the community continues to voice its opposition, we are hopeful that developers weigh up the risks associated with proceeding amidst this political landscape. The upcoming election will play a crucial role in determining the project’s future, with the community hopeful for a political change that aligns with our concerns and priorities.

Politically, it is clear that the Labor Party, Greens and Teals are all in support of offshore wind projects and this provides the opportunity for voters in elections at all levels of government to vote wisely. But it is also crucial that as a community we also become informed of how our preferential voting system works and how a chosen candidate will allocate their preferences. Ensure you make your vote count at the next election.