Thank you to everyone who has contacted me about the recent power outages and I’m sorry if there have been any delays getting back to you about this.
Like many of you, these outages have reached my home and I understand how frustrating it can be.
These outages, and AusNet’s role in them, is something that I have been working on over the course of my time in Parliament, even before the most recent string of power outages.
I have engaged with AusNet on multiple occasions already regarding the outages and continue to do so to ensure we can resolve these issues.
While AusNet is a private entity rather than a government one, the outages and the impact on residents and businesses have been completely unacceptable.
Following my first conversations with AusNet, I was disappointed in their response that only acknowledged the outages themselves and not the efforts to develop mitigation measures to prevent this from happening again.
I have since requested an in-person meeting to discuss their investment plan to upgrade their infrastructure and prevent these outages.
Should there be limitations on this investment, I will certainly be asking to see if there is anything the State and Federal Governments can do to assist.
While this is predominantly an issue falling under the Federal Government’s purview, I will continue to ensure our community can have access to reliable power.
Regardless, when Parliament resumes in February, these outages will be my number one priority to raise.
This will include raising the matter with the Minister for Consumer Affairs to work towards a solution.
This has also been an issue I have raised with our state-wide media connections on a weekly basis and will continue to do so until they understand the impact these outages are having.
Annabelle Cleeland MP,
Member for Euroa