A few weeks ago Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen joined a group of local and federal politicians at the end of my street in Dickson to unveil a large metal box.

Subscribe now for unlimited access.

Login or signup to continue reading

This tall, colourfully painted shipping container-like cube houses a solar battery, which apparently soaks up the excess electricity from the photovoltaic panels on my roof (and those of my neighbours) a few hundred metres away. While I confess I don't entirely understand the details, it then uses that excess electricity at optimal times to supply some of the neighbourhood with green power and to balance out demand. It's one of three medium-sized neighbourhood batteries planned for the ACT (and one of 400 nationally).

It's a fine thing, in theory, and makes a lot more sense to me than everyone having their own battery in the garage.

As the Prime Minister dashed off to shore up our major oil and fuel supplies this week, I was thinking about how that colourful box provides a useful example of the dual pressures facing Australia at this moment. How do we provide immediate relief as prices spike from a war we had nothing to do with? And how do we at the same time protect ourselves from the next, inevitable, international energy shock?

There's no doubt Canberrans are feeling the real financial impact of this war. An eye-watering spike in petrol and diesel prices is now morphing into additional costs on other essentials beyond travel.

Public transport numbers are surging and as Petlee Peter and Ray Athwal reported this week, businesses can only absorb massive increases to their input costs for so long before they are forced to pass on those costs to all of us, their customers.

And the bad news, according to economists, is this is likely to get worse before it gets better. Some have started using the 'R' word again, and hopes that interest rate rises might be over are fading by the day.

Which brings us to the federal budget, less than a month away. Our public service and federal political team have been reporting for months now on the pressure federal agencies are facing as the government looks for savings, ahead of what looks set to be a defining budget of the Albanese era. We're working hard on our budget plans to make sure you have all the information you need about the impacts on Canberra.

It appears some sort of cost-of-living relief will have to be offered to support taxpayers, while at the same time not losing sight of the important reforms needed to get us out of this hole.

How does the government justify massively expensive investments in defence and renewable energy like the box at the end of my street when small businesses are going to the wall because costs have destroyed their ability to earn a profit? It's a difficult balance to strike.

Like many political tragics in Canberra, I spent my summer break reading Abundance - How we build a better future by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson, a book that has taken on cult status in certain circles. One point the authors make that stuck with me is that many of the biggest, boldest investments in infrastructure need to occur when national economies are at their most dire. There's simply no perfect time to commit to nation building.

Renewable energy, like our highways, ports and fibre-optic networks, is just the kind of infrastructure challenge that has the potential to transform our national wellbeing in the years ahead - or leave us floundering if we get it wrong.

It's expensive, complicated and difficult. It's also the only hope we have of shielding ourselves from the worst impacts of crises like those currently unfolding in the Middle East.

It was therefore heartening to hear Mr Bowen this week making the point during one of his now daily fuel situation updates, that the federal government recognises this. "Our sun and wind are sovereign, they're not impacted by wars overseas and will continue to arrive" regardless of what's happening in the Strait of Hormuz or elsewhere.

Too much time has already been squandered getting Australia's creaking, aged and coal-dependent energy infrastructure and our petrol guzzling cars and trucks match fit for the future. Our lack of preparation and investment has made our nation vulnerable during this current energy crisis.

Let's hope the pressure to provide immediate relief doesn't derail us from the important task of ensuring we're better prepared when the next global shock rolls around.

Scott Hannaford, The Canberra Times deputy editor

Epic fail as Trump rushes for the exit

Yes, we need big changes to tax, but here's why the budget isn't the place for it

Labor's green virtue-signalling is a policy of hypocrisy and stupidity

More fool me. Time to stop taking advice from people who know next to nothing.

How we avoid the next fuel shock

Migration debate deserves better policy approach and less politicking from Liberals

Voice of Real Australia

Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over.

Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update.

Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday.

Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation.

Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more.

Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening.

Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarGuide, ACM's exclusive motoring partner.

Get the latest property and development news here.

Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe.

Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters.

Stay in the know on news that matters to you with twice weekly newsletters from The Senior.

Going out or staying in? Find out what's on.

The latest news, results & expert analysis.

Don't miss updates on news about the Public Service.

Early Look At David Pope

Your exclusive preview of David Pope's latest cartoon.

Join our weekly poll for Canberra Times readers.

We've selected the best reading for your weekend.

Be the first to know when news breaks.

Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am!

Your favourite puzzles

Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily!

Get the very best journalism from The Canberra Times by signing up to our special reports.

© Canberra Times