Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

Kerry Schott is one of our nation's greatest public servants, energy experts, economists and mathematicians. What she said on Lateline is absolutely correct and what honourable members opposite know is the case. The fact of the matter is this: as she said, and as we know, there are many impacts on a household's electricity bill. Wholesale prices are one important factor. But there's also the matter of the price of fuel, which is not affected by this policy. There is the price of gas. What did Labor do to gas? They sent the price through the roof through not protecting domestic demand.

What have we done? We've brought the price of gas down by ensuring that Australians are protected and can get the gas they need. Another big factor, too, is the cost of networks. That is not affected by the Energy Guarantee; it's a separate issue. That is being attacked by the abolition of the limited merits review, now through the parliament. The reality is, as Rod Sims said, as Kerry Schott said, as John Pierce has said, and as we all know—except those in this parallel universe of ideology and political stupidity opposite—energy prices are affected by many measures. This National Energy Guarantee will deliver lower wholesale prices than any alternative, and that's what Australians need—reliability, affordability and responsibility We have a plan. Labor's just got one whine after another. (Time expired)

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