Protest: Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector West, Institute of Public Affairs

Dr WEBSTER (Mallee) (13:30): Right now, brave and passionate Mallee residents are protesting in Spring Street on the steps of Parliament House in Melbourne about the Allan Labor government's draconian new powers to force through the VNI West transmission line. Farmers face fines of up to $12,000 if they refuse access to Transmission Company Victoria, an arm of the Victorian government, to build the VNI West transmission line. To be clear: TCV have the right to use boltcutters to cut chains and locks at the farmer's farm gate. I commend Mallee constituents who are speaking out, including Andrew Weidemann, Jason Barratt, Ben Duxson, Marcia McIntyre, Barry Batters, James and Emma Burke, Gerald Feeny, Glenden Watts, Tess Healy, Billy Baldwin, Cindy O'Sullivan, Will and Rachel McIntyre and so many more. I am so proud that Mallee is speaking out against Labor's divisive 'rewiring the nation' reckless energy rollout.

I also commend the Institute of Public Affairs for their documentary The Faces of Net Zero, featuring many I have named. I thank Peta Credlin, Chris Kenny, Peter Hunt and others in the media who are giving Mallee farmers a voice. Thank you, each one.