⏱️This edition of the National Account’s newsletter is a five-minute read.
👋 G’day everyone, a slightly sunburnt Archie here.
Managed to get out onto Sydney’s beaches this weekend, heading to both a very busy Bondi before skipping further north to a nearly empty Narrabeen.
What I forgot to do, though, was reapply some sunscreen. Which you will notice in today’s videos. I’m looking slightly more tomatoey than usual.
Anyway, let’s crack on with the news 🗞️
I don’t know whether you live in some magical land
🗣️ Why did he say that?
Nationals Leader David Littleproud was challenged on live TV over the weekend over his misuse of a figure he claims is the cost of the shift to renewable energy.
Littleproud has continuously said the shift will cost $9 trillion. He got the figure from a report done by the Universities of Princeton, Melbourne, and Queensland.
At the beginning of November, the report’s authors said the $9 trillion figure was being misused and that the cost is closer to $300 billion.
I’ve already done a video on this, which you can watch 👉 here.
But long story short, the authors have clarified that the $9 trillion figure is the broadest possible estimate of total investment, including private companies, exports, electric cars, solar panels, and other energy-related spending between now and 2060.
While appearing on the ABC’s Insiders programme, Littleproud was challenged by host David Spears.
For my full breakdown, check out today’s video:
Around the Grounds 🦘
🪨 Landslide risks cross council lines
In Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, Knox Council is looking at the erosion risks for private properties after Yarra Ranges Council proposed expanding its landslip and mudslide controls.
The Yarra Ranges changes could place thousands of homes in risk zones, requiring costly geotechnical reports and impacting insurance and property values.
Knox councillors say the risks don’t stop at boundaries and have called for a preliminary assessment of local erosion hazards.
Read that story by clicking below 👇
🌬️ Rentals blown away, but present a lifeline for locals
A new report says renewable projects can squeeze regional housing, but in Western Victoria, Dundonnell Wind Farm shows they can also give back. When construction peaked in 2019, about 200 workers soaked up local rentals.
To help ease the pressure, Dundonnell later put $500,000 from its community fund toward crisis accommodation for women and children fleeing violence.
RE-Alliance says early planning like this is crucial as more renewable zones roll out.
Read that story by clicking below 👇
Thanks for catching up with me. I hope you enjoyed this issue, and I’d love to hear your thoughts. Just reply to this email and I’ll be on the other side 👋
I’ll be back on Wednesday.
Cheers, Archie