Melissa McIntosh (Lindsay, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I'm pleased to have the opportunity to ask the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction some questions, because every day I hear from people in my electorate of Lindsay who are wanting to know how the Morrison government is working to reduce the cost of living pressures on hardworking families. Cost of living pressures put a strain on household budgets, and this is particularly true when it comes to energy prices. That's why our focus in the Morrison government is on lowering energy prices and gas prices so we can put more money back in the pockets of hardworking families and to the bottom lines of the 14,000 small and medium-sized businesses in Lindsay.

We're backing small businesses in Lindsay with tax relief and encouraging them to grow by extending the instant asset write-off. Lowering energy costs is just another way that we're enabling our local small businesses to employ more people and take advantage of new opportunities to grow and expand. Emu Plains Automotive Repairs is just one of the small businesses in Lindsay run by a hardworking aspirational Australian. In May this year I met with Shane of Emu Plains Automotive Repairs, and he told me that lowering power prices means that his business can grow. Energy companies can't get away with ripping off people like Shane. Local businesses like Emu Plains Automotive Repairs are at the heart and soul of our community. That's why the Morrison government is committed to backing Shane and Emu Plains Automotive Repairs and all the other small businesses in Lindsay with reforms to lower power prices.

Can the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction provide an update on how the Morrison government is working to lower energy prices in my electorate of Lindsay and around Australia, and the implementation of these policies and any alternative approaches.

See this speech in context