Bazz,
Building new renewable power infrastructure is cheaper than refurbishing fossil fuel power stations even when taking the cost of batteries into account. And it's almost as fast - have you any idea how much more solar power there is on the grid now than a year ago?

There is no insurmountable obstacle to 10% renewables - not technical nor economic. However it must be done in an affordable way. Your "line across Australia north of Capricorn" is a non starter because it's just too expensive. Maybe someday wen Australia has a much higher inland population, it can be considered. Meanwhile it's much better value to generate the electricity near where it's consumed.

That doesn't mean we shouldn't build new transmission lines, nor that solar farms shouldn't take advantage of it if we do. But the case for new transmission lines should be based on supply and demand patterns and price differences of the site connected – not the enabling of new solar farms. Those can go almost anywhere; there's no shortage of sites with suitable grid connections.

Just noticed my silly typo. Of course I meant "There is no insurmountable obstacle to 100% renewables..."

The major obstacle being common sense which Labor and the greens can bypass in a canter.

IF we are brave and honest, even if we insist on believing there is no such thing as man made climate change
Room exists to see why future power will be renewable energy
Too why some fight it so very very hard
The loss, financial, of fossil fuel owners will be massive, if it takes place over night or in a few decades
That is the very reason war against clean energy exists
IF we found/released a brand new replacement for petroleum products
Consider the fate of a million service stations closing down, and every single thing that supply's them
Now you should know the task ahead selling the idea renewable s is, as it is, our future has been

Belly, that old chestnut of the petrol or coal companies buying new technology to close it down? Really?
The problem is renewables just don't work economically. If they did we would go over to them in a flash. If you want to argue this please explain why prices have gone up, up and up! Oh yes Jeff Kennett, greedy companies? Try clueless green orientated politicians.
Here is the challenge. Electricity prices mandated to fall by five per cent a year for the next ten years. Let's then see what happens it could not be any worse.

JBower please do not put words in my mouth find a single word I used to say petrol owners are buying renewable,s
And it is your opinion but not mine that renewable,s do not work
At some future time they will be the only source of power
We no longer use whale oil in out lamps
So it will be in our future unless a brand new and better alternative is found
Even coal will not last forever
And yes some suppression of clean/better energy has already taken place
Along with a blind refusal to see renewable,s are the future