CEDA's Top 10 Energy Speeches 2007-17

Few policy issues in Australia have provoked as much discussion, or been as contentious, as energy policy.

Over the past decade, the focus of energy policy has shifted constantly, from reducing the impact of climate change to reducing costs and ensuring supply. But one theme has remained constant – the need for a long-term focus and approach.

This publication is a collated set of speeches, delivered at CEDA energy events from 2007–17, that highlight the importance and focus of evolving energy policy.

Top 10 speeches

Australia and China’s growing resources and energy partnership 
State of the Nation energy address, June 2007
The Hon. Ian Macfarlane, Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources (2001–07)

Mitigating the impact of climate change 
Garnaut climate change review, October 2008
Professor Ross Garnaut AC, Chair, Garnaut Climate Change Review (2007–08 and 2010–11)

Nuclear scenarios for Australia 
Uranium mining and nuclear power, September 2009
Dr Ziggy Switkowski AO, Chair, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) (2007–10)

Understanding the formation of attitudes to nuclear power
Assessing the potential of nuclear power in Australia, April 2010
Professor Daniela Stehlik, Lead author, National Academies Forum Project on understanding the formation of attitudes to nuclear power in Australia (2009)

Strengthening the foundations for Australia’s energy future 
Australia's energy future, December 2011
The Hon. Martin Ferguson AM, Federal Minister for Resources and Energy and Minister for Tourism (2007–13)

Renewable energy financing models
Energy future series, November 2012 
Jillian Broadbent AO, Chair, Clean Energy Finance Corporation Expert Review (2012–17)

Energy technology and the equation for a sustainable energy future 
Global energy futures: international speaker, November 2013
Dr Michael Weinhold, Chief Technology Officer, Siemens Energy

Global energy outlook: oil and gas – the shale technology revolution 
Global energy outlook: oil and gas, October 2014
Professor Paul Stevens, Distinguished Fellow, Chatham House London, Visiting Professor, University College London (Australia) (2014)

Reflections on the Finkel Review 
Energy series: Finkel Review and the future market
Tony Wood, Energy Program Director, Grattan Institute

Future options for a Clean Energy Target 
Energy markets: future options for a CET, October 2017
Chloe Munro, Panel Member, Independent Review into the future security of the NEM (2016–17)
 

CEDA Snapshots: speech highlights and discussion

To coincide with the launch of the Top 10 speeches, CEDA sat down with some of the speakers included in the publcation, to reflect on their speeches and discuss what has changed since they were presented. 

CEDA Snapshots: Dr Ziggy Switkowski AO In this snapshot, CEDA Chief Executive, Melinda Cilento sat down with Dr Ziggy Switkowski to discuss his speech Nuclear scenarios for Australia, presented in 2009. Dr Switkowski discusses the role of nuclear power in the energy sector today following the Fukushima disaster in 2011. Is there a future for nuclear power in Australia in the     future?  Watch the interview here.

CEDA Snapshots: CEDA Snapshots: Jillian Broadbent AO In this snapshot, CEDA Chief Executive, Melinda Cilento sat down with Jillian Broadbent AO to discuss her speech, Renewable energy financing models. Presented   in 2012, Ms Broadbent argued the substantial benefits warranted significant   government investment in the emerging clean energy sectors. Watch the interview here.

CEDA Snapshots: CEDA Snapshots: Professor Ross Garnaut AC In this snapshot, CEDA Chief Executive, Melinda Cilento sat down with Professor Ross Garnaut to discuss his speech presented in 2008. In Mitigating the impact of climate change, Professor Garnaut insisted there was a way forward to Australia becoming a   genuine low-emissions economy, but, as the source of the highest emissions per head   of any country, we would need to change our ways. Ten years on, what does he think   now? Watch the interview here.

Energy and climate policy: research, videos and blogs

CEDA has presented a variety of content and information on energy and climate policy over the course of our history including research, blogs and videos from our events. Have a look through our archives at some of work in the energy space.

CEDA has published seven research reports on this topic since 2007. In 2011-2012, CEDA released Australia's Energy Options which explored a range of issues in the energy space. Four policy perspectives were released in this series including: Australia's nuclear options, Renewables and efficiency and Australia's Unconventional Energy Options, Policy choice not economic inevitability. In 2014, The economics of climate change was released, which examined the economic impact of climate change for Australia. Two growth reports were also released: Growth 59: Climate Change - Getting it Right and Growth 61: A Taxing Debate - Climate policy beyond Copenhagen.

Between 2007 and 2017, CEDA hosted more than 230 events on energy, resources and mining. They were attended by over 15,000 delegates and supported by more than 75 CEDA members as sponsors. In addition, an energy policy discussion has been a regular feature at our annual State of the Nation conference. To watch videos from select energy CEDA events across Australia, click here.

Since the inception of the CEDA blog, a wide range of topics have been discussed by some of Australia's thought-leaders. Energy has been a big part of this discussion with blogs reviewing the Finkel Review and the political response, looking at raising Australia's energy efficiency, and examining Australia's future energy mix.