Julia Banks (Chisholm, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

The negligence and inconsistency from the Labor-Greens alliance on the issue of energy is nothing short of appalling. Not only have they sold out the blue-collar workers across Australia but they've done the same to Australians across the country with regard to high electricity prices. We're not the coal party; we're not the anti-coal party. We're not the renewables party; we're not the anti-renewables party. We are the party that is about affordable, reliable energy.

Consistent with the Labor-Greens' appalling history in relation to energy, their approach is that important things should only be looked at, in their words, 'down the track'. When South Australians experienced their blackouts, they couldn't drive in the dark, businesses shut down and hospitals had to go on generators. The whole state was in darkness. This is what Labor governments do, particularly when they're in alliance with the Greens. Not only was the cost to businesses and thousands of South Australians terrible but it affected all aspects of life.

It goes without saying who Australians should blame for these blackout bills. You see, in business—which none of those on the other side know anything about—you actually have to deliver and get things done. That's what the Turnbull government does. We get things done. In business, sometimes you also have to clean up messes from those before you. That's what the Turnbull government is doing. We're doing what we do well: we get things done in a measured, pragmatic way. The Turnbull government is getting on with the business of keeping energy prices at affordable levels for all Australians. Unlike Labor, the government knows that Australians are concerned about the rising costs of energy and living. In particular, the government is listening and taking action on this front. Our priority is energy affordability and reliability as we meet our international targets.

The Turnbull government is delivering a comprehensive plan to put downward pressure on electricity prices for households and businesses. We've taken policy actions to deliver tangible outcomes for Australians, ensuring that the lights stay on and that prices remain low for Australian households and businesses. Unlike former farcical, idealistic Labor governments, the Turnbull government's focus is on what matters to Australians. What matters to Australians is when that electricity bill comes in. What matters to Australians is that they don't have to endure those blackout bills that our fellow South Australians had to endure under a Labor government. Our focus is affordability and reliability, not ideology.

Unlike Labor, we are heeding warnings of the energy white paper and the Energy Market Operator. The Turnbull government has taken very strong action to ensure more gas in the domestic market. We've finalised tough new regulations in the gas sector to give Australian customers priority access to gas supply before it's exported. We want to ensure that retail providers are giving Australians the best deal. This will remove the ability of regulated energy network companies to game the system at the expense of consumers, which is what they were able to do under the Labor government. The Turnbull government knows that messy regulation of the energy sector under Labor has contributed to driving up prices for many Australians. Opening up competitive markets and educating Australians on how best to choose a provider delivers low-cost, more affordable energy for Australians.

We know that Australia's emissions per capita and per unit of GDP are currently at their lowest level in 27 years and that Australia has a strong track record of meeting and beating our emissions target. The Turnbull government has introduced legislation to amend the Clean Energy Finance Corporation to allow investment in carbon capture and storage, which can reduce emissions by up to 90 per cent.

We need storage to back up our renewables. That's something that the Labor government never considered. The Turnbull government has embarked on the largest storage project ever undertaken in Australia. Snowy Hydro 2.0 will add 2,000 megawatts of energy storage for 7½ days. In short, the Turnbull government is keeping Australians connected and ensuring we have backup so that Australians aren't kept in the dark.

The Turnbull government is taking pragmatic action to ensure that Australians can access affordable and reliable energy. I know our measures will have a considerable impact in Chisholm, my electorate. In Victoria we've been feeling a pinch due to rising energy prices and egregious Labor policy. As a result of the pushing out of Hazelwood, companies AGL and EnergyAustralia increased bills by up to $135 this year. They have a vested interest in doing that. We are all feeling the rise, and the Turnbull government's priority is to ensure affordability for Australian households and businesses. Our comprehensive plan to put downward pressure on electricity prices for households and businesses is making a difference for my constituents, and I'm proud to be a member of the Turnbull government. We're keeping the lights on and we're making sure Australians can afford reliable, dependable and sustainable energy.

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