Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I thank so much the Leader of the Opposition for this question, which goes to whether Australians will have higher power prices when they get their next bill. I'm happy to outline for the benefit of the House what the circumstances are when they get their next bill. We of course did have a policy, which we announced on 3 December last year. On 31 March this year the Governor-General, acting on the minister's advice, signed a determination to delay the publication of the default market offer for energy prices. On 6 April a determination to amend paragraph 17(2)(c) of the electricity retail industry code was registered and published. On 7 April the determination with the delayed date came into effect. Guess when the election was called—10 April. So three days before the election was called, this minister went to the GG and put in a determination to change the industry code to keep it secret. On 11 April parliament was prorogued and caretaker commenced. The first of May—May Day—was the previous publication date the default market offer that they deleted. Election day was on 21 May, and guess when they published it. Was it before or after 21 May? What do you think? Hands up those who think it might have been before the election! Hands up those who think it was after the election!

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