Question Time AU

General Debate

Renewable Energy

House of Representatives · Tuesday 11 August 2026

Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia

At a glance

Barnaby Joyce raised a grievance concerning the deployment of renewable energy infrastructure in regional New South Wales. He argued that wind and solar projects were causing economic harm, displacing local communities, and devaluing property. Joyce cited international examples to suggest similar policies had damaged other economies. He called for transparency regarding government funding schemes and demanded a royal commission into the industry.

Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.

How the debate unfolded

Opened the debate

Barnaby Joyce (New England) (Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) One Nation

Joyce argued that renewable energy projects were harming regional communities through rising power costs and industrial decline. Joyce claimed that influxes of non-local workers were disrupting small towns like Kentucky and Walcha. Joyce stated that property values were falling due to the visual impact of solar and wind infrastructure. Joyce alleged that transmission line companies were trespassing on private land without permission. Joyce contended that the Capacity Investment Scheme guaranteed returns to developers while hiding costs from taxpayers.