Chris Bowen

Two bits of good news out from last week.  Energy prices and emissions down.  It's our plan in action. More cheaper, cleaner energy and a fairer deal for households.

We've got the best sun and wind in the world, and we're using our sovereign renewables to shield our grid from global energy volatility and to bring down your energy bills.

Our plan for cheap, reliable and sovereign renewable is working.  That's what the figures of today's Default Market Offer show us.  While others continue to deny and delay we'll continue to work everyday on Australia's energy transition and putting downward pressure on energy prices.

Big news today. We’ve got the best sun and wind in the world. That's why we’re using our sovereign renewables to shield our electricity grid from global energy volatility and to bring down your energy bills.

Another 150 million litres of additional diesel has been secured for Australia.  This brings the total extra supply secured by the Albanese Government to 700 million litres.

This year's budget introduces a Government-owned fuel reserve, a permanent reserve of a billion litres to maintain our fuel security.  This is about building a resilient and strong nation in the face of uncertain times.  We'll continue to work every day to make sure we strengthen our future.

We've just handed down the 2026 Federal Budget.  It's a responsible and ambitious budget aimed at building and strengthening our nation.  It's about building a country where hard work pays off and everyone has the opportunity to get ahead.

More than $10 billion will be spent to secure Australia's near-term fuel and fertiliser security.  Tonight's budget will introduce a permanent, Government-owned, fuel reserve which will expand our fuel reserves to at least 50 days.

Our sun doesn't have to travel through the Strait of Hormuz, nor is our wind affected by a war in Europe.  Aussies know that it's common sense to invest in our sovereign renewable energy.

The cost of solar has dramatically come down over the past few decades.  We are now starting to see reductions in the cost for batteries as well, making them a much more viable option for Aussie households.

As outlined last year in the National Climate Risk Assessment, the effects of climate change are real and they are worsening.  The cost of inaction is far too great.

We've come a long way in the energy transition, but there is much more work to do.  And Australians understand common sense, they understand that what is good for the planet is good for your pocket too.

We're locking in EV discounts for years to come.

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Lord Adair Turner and talk all things climate and energy.  Australia is uniquely placed to take advantage of the energy transition.

Tim Wilson's had some things to say about fuel, only problem is none of it is true.  While the Government has been focussed on fuel security in difficult international times, the LNP has just engaged in sledges not solutions.  And while they are taking potshots, they are getting basic facts wrong.

The Youth Champion for COP31 this year will be Australia's Sally Higgins.  Sally is a farmer from the Darling Downs and passionate advocate for young people and climate action. I caught up with her this week in her town of Allora.

Renewables are going from strength to strength.  After a record 2025, renewables are starting the year strong with the highest ever renewable generation for a first quarter.

New renewable figures today. Record renewables in the grid pushing down wholesale prices. A lot more to do but good progress.

We know this conflict in the Middle East is having an impact, and we're working every day to maintain our security.

We're working every day to maintain Australia's fuel security.  Today we announce that another 100 million litres of Diesel has been secured by the Albanese Labor Government.

New data out today underlines how fast Australia's energy transition is accelerating.  It is a clear sign that our plan to deliver cleaner, cheaper, more reliable energy system is on track.

Renewables are helping shield Australia from the worst of the global energy shock.  Aussies know that what's good for the planet is good for your pocket.  And they're getting on with the job, whether it's rooftop solar or cheaper home batteries.

An update on our fuel situation. Challenges may still remain ahead, but the actions we’ve taken will ensure we’re better prepared.

An update on the refinery fire in Geelong.

We know this war in the Middle East is having an impact.  That's why we've worked everyday to maintain our nation's fuel security.

Renewable energy is shielding us from the worst impacts of this war in the Middle East. Our sun and wind are sovereign, they're not impacted by wars overseas.  We'll continue with our common sense approach to our energy transition.

An update from me on fuel supply in Australia 👇

We know this war in the Middle East is having an impact.  We've acted to maintain our nation's fuel security and shield Australians from the worst.

There's a lot of talk about drilling for oil at the moment.  Those decisions should be determined by economics and engineering, not ideology.  From my interview on 7.30 last night

Ships are still arriving to Australia.  We know that issues in regional distribution remain. That's why we've acted to:

We're working to ensure that Australia remains fuel secure.  We currently have enough fuel in Australia for everyone's needs, but we're seeing an increase in demand which has meant our supply chain has struggled to keep up.

We've acted to maintain Australia's fuel security.  Whether it's increasing supply, enhancing our fuel security powers, reducing the cost of fuel or cracking down on price gouging, Aussies know we've got their backs.

Our Bill to increase our fuel security powers has just passed in the lower house. This will allow the Government to step in and help source extra cargo, offer guarantees and direct that fuel exactly where it needs to go.

Our new Fuel Security Powers will give help make sure we have the fuel we need to keep our country moving.

The Coalition have been caught out trying to harvest peoples data for political reasons, rather than putting forward constructive ideas.

The Commonwealth and State Governments are working together. Meanwhile, the Federal Liberal Party is deliberately leaving words out to try and fearmonger and make cheap political points.  Australians deserve better.

The Albanese Government has temporarily relaxed diesel standards to help suppliers bring more fuel for farmers, truckers and regional communities. The temporary change was last made in 2020 and we saw no adverse impact on engines or emissions.

We are more prepared now for this international instability than before. Increasing our renewables has shielded us with their sovereign capability.  Our sun and wind are ours, unaffected by crisis overseas.

Investing in our nation's abundant wind and solar energy creates the sovereignty needed to better buffer ourselves against times of international instability.

An update on fuel supply.  Our nation remains fuel secure.

Get the facts on fuel supply.

While others talk the talk on sovereignty, the Albanese government is walking the walk.

We are better prepared now for this international instability than at any point in the last 15 years.

We store our rain - we can store our wind and sun power too. The over 250,000 households who have installed a Cheaper Home Battery know this and are seeing the benefits.  Common sense policy taking advantage of some our nation's most abundant resources.

An update on fuel and petrol. We enter this international instability much better prepared than in the past.

We're passing the phone and the solar savings are being passed on to the homes near this battery in the Dickson community.  It's one of the 400 community batteries being installed over the country, using our nation's abundant solar energy to but downward pressure on bills.

Forget 1 gigawatt-hour, the Cheaper Home Batteries programme now has a massive 6 gigawatt-hours of capacity.  But what does this mean? And what can 6 gigawatt-hours actually power?

This is all about Australians embracing practical technology that helps lower bills.

Cheaper Home Batteries are for all Australians.  In fact, the outer suburbs and regions are the areas taking it up the most.  These batteries bust bills and deliver a better, fairer grid for everyone.

Booming renewables, lower gas use and more motorists driving cheaper to run cars. That's what's meant we've now had an 8.5 million tonne drop in Australia’s emissions over the year to September 2025.

People living in rural and regional Australia, like Chris in Bendigo, are taking control of their energy future through our Cheaper Home Batteries policy because they know what is good for the planet is good for the pocket.

The Albanese Government is working with councils across regional & rural communities, so they can save on their bills & invest more into their communities through the Community Energy Upgrades Fund, including in Bendigo where the library will replace their gas heating system with electric heat pumps

Take this post down, Matt Canavan This is the modern Coalition.

While others are focused on themselves, we're focused on investing in the cheapest form of energy.  Last quarter saw more renewable energy than any other energy source, resulting in a decrease of the wholesale price. It's just common sense.

70,000 Urgent Care Clinic visits, 70 bulk billed GPs and $17.5 million in savings on medicines for our local community.  The best part? All you need is your Medicare card. Labor built Medicare, and we will always defend it.

Happy Valentine's Day. Hoping you have someone as obsessed with you as the National party. The only thing I’m obsessed with is fixing their energy mess.

Angus Taylor always gets his numbers wrong.  And you pay the price.

We promised and now we're delivering.  New plans for the Fairfield Hospital upgrade have been released, and they look amazing.

It's National Apprenticeship week.  I got to meet some of our super-impressive energy apprentices at Transgrid Horsley Park, in my electorate. Apprentices like Tully are the future of our energy transition, and I say, we're in very good hands.