Chris Bowen (McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Energy) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I also recall that it mentioned the need to apologise. There are some people who need to apologise. The member for Hume originally denied hiding the price increase. This week, or last week, he did finally admit it. He told the National Press Club, 'I did as was recommended by the industry department and by the regulator, so it's what they wanted.' He has finally admitted doing it but he has thrown his former department under the bus, blaming the bureaucrats. I have little doubt as to why he did that. The member for Hume was minister for some time. On the day that the member for Hume became the energy minister, the price of energy in the national energy market was $92.63 per megawatt hour. On election day, his last day in office, it was $241 per megawatt hour. Talk about the need to apologise! Those opposite should apologise for 10 years of denial and delay and dysfunction. They should apologise for the dishonesty at the end as well.

Honourable members interjecting—

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