Latest News — Melissa Price MP
 
 

Train Lighting Petition

Today I tabled an important petition signed by 6,600 concerned Australians calling for mandatory minimum standards for train lighting. The absence of a legal requirement has led to preventable deaths from vehicles colliding with oncoming trains. The introduction of mandatory minimum lighting was recommended back in 2001. I call on Labor to reconsider their position and implement these lighting standards. Thank you to the Member for North West Central, Merome Beard MLA and Lara Jensen for your leadership on this issue.

Durack Roads Will Collapse Under Labor

Durack Roads Will Collapse Under Labor 

 12 July 2024 

 Member for Durack, The Hon Melissa Price MP, says the Albanese Labor Government’s Roads to Recovery’s (R2R) new funding distribution is metropolitan focused and will leave regional councils behind in their struggle to address ever-growing local road maintenance tasks.  

The R2R program was established by the Coalition Government to support councils to maintain local road networks, proving to be highly successful. Now, with the funding round under a Labor Government, local shires in the Durack electorate will be disadvantaged compared to more prosperous capital city councils.  

“Whilst Labor is slowly increasing the R2R funding, I am shocked that local government areas in my electorate of Durack are only receiving an increase of 46.7 per cent, well below the average increase of 65 per cent and far below the 76 per cent being received by city councils. This lack of required funds is another direct attack on the regions by Labor and will only exacerbate the disadvantages that rural, regional and remote areas already experience,” said Ms Price. “Our communities are crying out for investment in their local road networks.”

The R2R program is delivered in five-year funding periods and funding determinations are made by the Minister itemising five-year allocations to each local government area. While the Federal Labor Government is increasing R2R funding gradually, Ms Price says the recently announced five-year funding allocation indicates this increase is not being distributed fairly.  

“The 2024 National State of the Assets Report shows $23.1billion worth of local government roads are in poor condition, $18.7 billion have poor function and $17.0 billion have poor capacity,” said Ms Price. “My electorate of Durack has 41 local councils, all located in regional, rural or remote areas and they rely heavily on funding such as the R2R program to keep their road networks safe and operational. In fact, local government roads represent a whopping 77 per cent of our national road network by length.”

“The Prime Minister said when he was elected two years ago that no one would be held back, no one would be left behind. It is evident that Mr Albanese’s many promises have only been kept to those who live in urban Australia. A Coalition Government will always look after regional Australia.” Ms Price stated.

Ms Price encourages Durack residents to nominate a local road in their area that is in desperate need of funding, through the National Road Survey launched last month.  Submit your views through the survey at https://www.research.net/r/2HRHBV9. Submissions are open until 5pm, 30 August 2024. 

 

Ends.

Media Contact: Jackie Perry

0427 587 395, jackie.perry@aph.gov.au

Energy Security Under Labor

As the Federal Member for Durack, I am very proud to represent much of Western Australia's resources sector and natural gas production territory. I frequently meet with the sector and understand how critical gas is to Australia's economy today and into the future. The natural gas supply chain employs 80,000 people across Australia, primarily in regional areas. Unfortunately, under this government, we have seen the price of gas increase by 22.2 per cent, and the warnings of upcoming shortages are real.

Labor has Lost WA

The agricultural industry has been dealt a crushing blow from the Albanese Labor Government, who have sold out WA because of their desire to curry favour with inner city voters. The passing of legislation to ban live sheep exports in the House this week is another reckless and shameful decision by Labor. A re-elected Coalition Government will reverse this ban immediately. We will not stop fighting.

Durack Railway Level Crossings Safety

This morning in the House I spoke about the dire need to improve regional level-crossing safety through better train illumination. Between 1 July 2014 and 31 December 2022, across Australia's level crossings there were 7,839 near hits, 322 collisions, 39 fatalities and 49 serious injuries. These numbers are a stark reminder of the urgent need for improved safety measures.

Pilbara Parliament in Schools trip

Earlier this week I was thrilled to be in the Pilbara with the Hon Milton Dick MP, the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Milton and I visited five schools as part of the ‘Parliament in Schools’ program. Baynton West PS, St Paul’s PS, Wickham PS, Nullagine PS and the Port Hedland School of the Air. A big thank you to the Speaker for coming to the Pilbara and meeting with kids from regional and remote schools.

Australia's Energy Future

THE HON PETER DUTTON MP

LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION

THE HON DAVID LITTLEPROUD MP

LEADER OF THE NATIONALS

MR TED O’BRIEN MP

SHADOW MINISTER FOR CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENERGY

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE

AUSTRALIA’S ENERGY FUTURE

Every Australian deserves and should expect access to cheaper, cleaner and consistent electricity. But under Labor, this isn’t happening.

Right now, in households and businesses around the country, Labor’s expensive renewables-only approach is failing.

The Government is now talking about a 65 to 75 per cent emissions reduction target by 2035, but won’t release modelling and won’t tell us how much higher power prices will go up.

Power bills have already increased by up to $1,000 for many Australians, when they were promised a $275 cut. And Labor’s climate target of 43% emissions reduction by 2030 has become unachievable.

The Coalition believes Australia must have a balanced energy mix to deliver cheaper, cleaner and consistent 24/7 electricity. 90 per cent of baseload electricity, predominantly coal fired power stations, is coming to the end of life over the next decade.

Nuclear energy for Australia is an idea whose time has come.

Today, we are announcing that a future Federal Coalition Government will introduce zero-emissions nuclear energy in Australia, which has proven to get electricity prices and emissions down all over the world, to work in partnership with renewable energy and gas as part of a balanced energy mix.

And today, we announce seven locations, located at a power station that has closed or is scheduled to close, where we propose to build zero-emissions nuclear power plants:

• Liddell Power Station, New South Wales

• Mount Piper Power Station, New South Wales

• Loy Yang Power Stations, Victoria

• Tarong Power Station, Queensland

• Callide Power Station, Queensland

• Northern Power Station, South Australia (SMR only)

• Muja Power Station, Western Australia (SMR only)

Each of these locations offer important technical attributes needed for a zero-emissions nuclear plant, including cooling water capacity and transmission infrastructure, that is, we can use the existing poles and wires, along with a local community which has a skilled workforce.

A key advantage of modern zero-emissions nuclear plants is they can be plugged into existing grids. This means they can effectively replace retired or retiring coal plants and avoid much of the new spending needed for Labor’s ‘renewables-only’ system, including new transmission poles and wires. All of which will be passed on in the form of higher bills.

Labor’s approach requires imposing 58 million solar panels, 3,500 new industrial wind turbines, and up to 28,000 kilometres of new transmission lines across the country. Energy experts have warned the cost of Labor’s rollout will be between $1.2 trillion and $1.5 trillion.

No country in the world relies solely on solar and wind as Labor is proposing. By contrast, there are 32 countries operating zero-emissions nuclear plants. Another 50 countries are looking to do so.

Of the world’s 20 largest economies, Australia is the only one not using nuclear energy, or moving towards using it.

Our plan will deliver a net-zero electricity grid by 2050 and a strong and resilient economy. It will set our country up for decades to come.

At the front of this next wave of growth will be those communities which host zero-emissions nuclear plants. Not only will local communities benefit from high paying, multi-generational jobs but communities will be empowered to maximise the benefits from hosting an asset of national importance by way of:

• A multi-billion dollar facility guaranteeing high-paying jobs for generations to come;

• An integrated economic development zone to attract manufacturing, value-add and high-tech industry; and

• A regional deal unlocking investment in modern infrastructure, services and community priorities.

A Community Partnership will be formed in each host community, consisting of experienced local representatives, as the focal point for community engagement and to play an important role in planning the future of the region.

This community engagement process will occur alongside a comprehensive site study including detailed technical and economic assessments.

A Federal Coalition Government will initially develop two establishment projects using either small modular reactors or modern larger plants such as the AP1000 or APR1400. They will start producing electricity by 2035 (with small modular reactors) or 2037 (if modern larger plants are found to be the best option).

The Australian Government will own these assets, but form partnerships with experienced nuclear companies to build and operate them.

Australia is fast running out of energy. The way of life for everyday Australians and the cost of doing business in Australia is already in jeopardy and it is only going to get worse under Labor’s expensive all-eggs-in-one-basket ‘renewables-only’ policy.

We know the Prime Minister and his Government will mount the mother-of-all scare campaigns on zero-emissions nuclear energy.

But we believe Australians are up for this discussion and are open-minded about including zero-emissions nuclear technology as part of a balanced energy mix.

If you are serious about meeting our net zero by 2050 emissions commitments, then you must include zero-emission nuclear as part of your energy mix. Zero-emission nuclear power plants produce no air pollution or carbon emissions. For example, a 1.1 GW AP-1000 reactor cuts approximately seven million metric tonnes of CO2 emissions, equivalent to removing 1.5 million cars from the road.

A zero-emissions nuclear power plant will be a national asset delivering cheaper, cleaner and consistent energy for 80 years. Getting started now on establishing a civil nuclear programme is the right decision for you, your children and your grandchildren.

From today, we will be speaking right across the country on the merits of our plan.

Our plan is bold, visionary and what Australians need to secure our energy and economic future.

19 June 2024

Durack Volunteer Grant recipients

This week I recognised the successful Durack organisations who were awarded a Volunteer Grant of up to $5,000 each. These grants will help make the work of our Durack volunteers easier and safer by providing essential equipment, helping with the cost of required training, fuel and transport costs and more.

Congratulations and thank you to all volunteers for your tireless community work 💙

🔵 Kununurra Neighbourhood House 🔵 West Kimberley Junior Football 🔵 1st Geraldton Scout Group 🔵 Bicycles for Humanity, Geraldton 🔵 Woorree Scouts 🔵 Dongara Osprey Girl Guides 🔵 Northampton District Bowling Club Inc 🔵 Newman Gymnastics Club 🔵 Paraburdoo Toy Library Association 🔵 RDA BrookValley Farm 🔵 Badgingarra Junior Sports Club 🔵 Wongan Hills Community Gardens 🔵 Mortlock Pony Club 🔵 Friends Of Chittering Wildlife Carers 🔵 South Midlands Pony Club Members

Australia's Family and Domestic Violence Epidemic

This week I called on the Albanese Labor Government to prioritise funding and resources to combat the family and domestic violence (FDV) crisis in regional Australia. The Kimberley region's recent police statistics detail a shocking 1,700 reported offences between January and March 24, with FDV rates up almost 50 percent in five years. This is the second consecutive time the Kimberley has recorded the highest rates of FDV in all of WA. My constituents deserve better from Labor.

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