Four Corners: May 8

On Monday’s Four Corners, Michael Brissenden reports on “Power Failure: Why Australia is being left in the dark.”

“It is remarkable how much we have stuffed up energy policy in this country.” Mining lobbyist

On Monday night Four Corners investigates how a nation as rich as Australia is in coal, gas, sunshine and wind, has found itself in the middle of an energy crisis.

“We’ve had a catastrophic failure of national policy making.” Industry Lobbyist

For a decade, the politicisation of energy policy has divided the major political parties and brought down their leaders.

“We’ve had a series of disasters, bad political decisions to end up where we are.” Energy Analyst

The result is an uncertain energy future and soaring power bills.

“We’ll pay about $750,000 this financial year, and next financial year we’re looking at about a $1.2 million gas bill…It’s an uncontrolled and sudden shock to our business.” Manufacturer

On the eve of the Federal Budget, the program charts how short term politics has repeatedly overridden the national interest.

“Blind Freddie could have seen this coming. Only those who are neglectful or deceitful or didn’t want to face this problem, wouldn’t have known this was coming.” Industry Lobbyist

Four Corners has travelled across the nation to see how the lack of affordable and reliable power is driving some businesses to the wall, others are going offshore.

“We’re the lucky country but at the moment it seems that we’re giving away most or all of our competitive advantages.” Manufacturer

And with experts forecasting that winter will bring even higher power bills as well as blackouts next summer, there are calls to end the politicking and for real action to be taken.

“Everyone keeps blaming everyone else and I would love as a consumer of electricity, I’d love both sides of government to come out and just find a solution.” Business Owner

Monday 8th May at 8.30pm on ABC.