Ms Marie Donnelly:

This is part of the difficulty. I would agree with the Senator. In our response, we were clear in coming through and saying that we have the resource to meet the electricity demand and let us get that right. The electricity demand of itself is not the problem. We have a problem with the source of the actual energy going into it and we need to maximise the benefit. Obviously, they need to be as efficient as possible and deliver as much as possible to the country but let us focus our attention where the real problem is right now.

For the offshore delays, we have set up the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority, MARA. We have done our first round, which is very good. We are now looking at the environmental issues. We are starting to see some objections coming through. It is going to be a challenging process to go through the legitimate environmental checks and balances and the planning process. This is probably the first time that as a country we have looked at planning of infrastructure like that offshore. It will be novel. It will require a concerted approach, from leaders, such as the committee members, and from communication, to get that message across as to the value that presents to the country and why we need to go ahead with it.

The Deputy is correct that it is an issue of concern. We are not lost yet but it is an issue of concern.