In this episode, Monica speaks with veteran Australian journalist Chris Uhlmann about Australia’s energy policy, the net zero transition, and the implications for economic prosperity and national security.

They begin by examining the relationship between energy consumption and living standards, discussing how fossil fuels powered the industrial growth that lifted global prosperity over the past century. Chris explains why energy density, reliability, and cost are central to economic development and why energy policy decisions can have far-reaching consequences for national wealth.

The conversation then turns to Australia’s natural resource endowment — including coal, natural gas and uranium — and how these resources have historically underpinned Australia’s position as a high-wage economy. Monica and Chris explore whether current policy settings risk undermining that advantage, particularly as Australia attempts to transition its electricity system toward wind, solar and battery storage.

They also discuss the technical realities of running an electricity grid, including why supply and demand must be balanced in real time, the role of baseload generation, and why intermittent energy sources require significant backup and transmission infrastructure. The discussion covers the rising cost of electricity, the subsidies embedded in the energy transition, and how these costs are distributed across households.

Finally, they examine the geopolitical dimension of energy policy, including Australia’s fuel security vulnerabilities, reliance on imported refined fuel, and the strategic risks of depending on overseas supply chains for renewable energy technology.

Chris Uhlmann is one of Australia’s most experienced political and national affairs journalists. He has served as Political Editor at the ABC and Channel Nine, and was previously Press Secretary to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. He is now a columnist with The Australian and a regular contributor to Sky News Australia, where he continues to write and comment on energy policy, national security and Australian politics.

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