Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG (Macquarie Fields) (12:45): — I make a contribution to the Committee on Environment and Planning report entitled Sustainability of energy supply and resources in NSW.

I thank Dora Oravecz and all the committee staff for their hard work, organisation and input into the committee's work throughout the inquiry.

The report is a valuable document based on the evidence and presentation from a range of stakeholders on an important issue.

I also acknowledge my fellow parliamentary colleagues for their collaboration and input into the final report, especially when we had to discuss and make a number of changes via Webex.

I make the following points in response to the committee's final report.

Firstly, the Illawarra and Hunter communities have long been the energy source that has powered the State's economy and provided valuable income and stable employment. Those communities' identities and social fabric are welded into that energy source's history.

Despite the rapidly changing energy source mix, NSW Labor has been a strong and consistent advocate for both regions to be major players in the future production of energy.

I am delighted that the committee has endorsed my recommendation, as detailed in recommendation 7, which prioritises local content in the designated renewable energy zones as part of the competitive tendering process for future energy projects.

Supporting local manufacturers in regions and industry will stimulate local jobs, and increase economic development and opportunities.

It is about backing the Illawarra and the Hunter communities' hard work and ingenuity. The policy approach will allow, for example, the greater use of higher quality Illawarra steel being used in energy projects.

NSW Labor's plan is for more manufacturing, more jobs and greater economic security. That is a win for workers, a win for wages and a win for New South Wales.

Secondly, while the policy framework, national and international political agreements and technology are changing rapidly, that does not change the fact that our economy and our way of life still requires reliable energy. Therefore, it is important to acknowledge the role that natural gas plays as an intermittent energy source to ensure energy reliability.

The committee has noted the finding from former Chief Scientist Professor Alan Finkel's independent review into the role of gas to support renewable energy in the short to medium term.

As renewables become the dominant energy source, we need to ensure that our education, skills and training frameworks keep up with this change. We need to properly invest in our people so that they are equipped with the skills and knowledge to take advantage of the economic opportunities that will come from the new energy industry.

The committee heard from a number of stakeholders on the skills mismatch and the need to conduct a proper skills audit. That will identify the growth areas of employment, the skills required, and the changes required to our education and training programs.

Further, priority should also be given to workers who have been most impacted from the changing energy mix. It is only fair that those in communities most impacted be given priority in the investment to help them re‑train and re‑skill.

I am pleased that the committee's report and findings reflect NSW Labor's position on jobs, skills and training. Very few things are more important than investing in people and their future, economic and social wellbeing, and employability.

I hope the Government gives thoughtful consideration to the findings in the report and ensures that future policy settings meet the challenges ahead for the rapidly changing energy mix. I commend the report to the House.