Election fight heats up over proposed $7.6 billion powerline through Victoria
A key issue shaping up for this November's state election is Victoria's power supply. The Labor government has signed a deal for $7.6 billion powerline, while the Coalition has hardened its stance to block the project.
Victorians preparing to vote in November will face a stark choice between two very different energy futures. The state is set to lose the Yallourn coal-fired power plant in 2028, prompting both the Labor government and the Coalition to present competing plans. The Labor party has signed a $7.6 billion deal for a 240-kilometer transmission line, connecting Victoria with renewable energy projects in NSW, while the Coalition has vowed to abandon the project if elected.
The Coalition's stance is based on concerns over reliability and rising power costs, arguing that gas-fuelled generation will be the key to maintaining a stable energy supply. However, critics warn that this approach ignores the growing shortage of gas and the challenges of expanding the existing infrastructure.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
