During a recent press conference on the New South Wales South Coast, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese faced heckling from anti-wind farm protesters in Lake Illawarra. As Albanese addressed questions about US tariffs impacting Australian exports, demonstrators accused him of dishonesty and voiced their opposition to proposed offshore wind farms. One protester interrupted with a shout of “another lie,” prompting boos from the crowd.
In his response, Albanese emphasised the government’s commitment to supporting blue-collar jobs and pointed out that wind turbines are constructed from steel, linking local industries to renewable energy initiatives.
This tumultuous event coincided with Albanese’s visit to the BlueScope Steelworks in nearby Port Kembla and his introduction of Carol Berry, the Labor candidate for the Whitlam seat. He assured attendees of their local ties and experience, especially following Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones’s retirement from politics.
Despite the federal government declaring the Illawarra an offshore wind zone after public consultations, concerns over environmental implications persist among some residents, highlighting the ongoing debate surrounding renewable energy projects in the region.