Rear Vision — How History Shaped Today Australia’s energy security and resilience
Apr 10, 2026
Andrew Blakers, ANU engineering professor, explains how market design and storage enabled rapid wind and solar growth. Penelope Crosley, energy law professor, outlines legal and federal–state tensions shaping energy policy. Tony Wood, Grattan Institute energy expert, provides historical context and politics behind Australia’s power system. They explore grid reliability, interconnection, batteries and why renewables surged.
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How Gas Replaced Coal In Electricity
- Australia moved from coal-dominated electricity to significant gas use in the late 20th century.
- Tony Wood explains gas became popular because it was efficient and cleaner, shifting generation away from coal especially on the east coast.
Australia Framed Renewables As Environmental Policy
- John Howard's 2001 Renewable Energy Electricity Act framed renewables primarily as an environmental policy.
- Penelope Crosley notes this was unusual globally where countries prioritized energy security first, shaping Australia's politicised transition.
The Climate Wars That Broke Bipartisan Support
- The 2007 election and subsequent years triggered the climate wars, splitting major parties and shaping policy swings.
- Tony Wood recounts Tony Abbott's 'axe the tax' politics and how it devastated bipartisan climate action.