Melissa McIntosh (Lindsay, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Energy Affordability) Share this | Hansard source

Two hundred and seventy-five dollars—I'm sure the Minister for Climate Change and Energy would like Australians to forget that figure. But we can't, because it is etched in our memories, having been said almost 100 times, and in our hearts, which are breaking across the country right now because of this broken promise. In response to a journalist asking if the Minister for Climate Change and Energy was going to be able to achieve the $275 reduction in energy prices, the minister said:

Well, of course, that was what we indicated would be the impact by 2025.

Well, we're now in 2024, and prices are nowhere near dropping by $275. In fact, Western Sydney residents, where I'm from, need the Default Market Offer's reference price for the next financial year to drop by more than $1,000 to reach the Albanese Labor government's promise. Instead, Endeavour energy customers on a controlled loan will pay almost $3,000 a year for their electricity. This is extraordinary.

Ausgrid customers across the Central Coast, the Hunter and parts of Sydney have seen a cumulative price increase of more than 30 per cent under this government in just two years. Essential energy users across regional New South Wales in Albury, Grafton, Dubbo and Taree have had an increase of around $650 on their bills. South-east Queenslanders who use Energex are paying almost 40 per cent more on their bills, and South Australian households are paying 32 per cent more.

Higher energy costs are sending some families absolutely broke, and they are in distress. Tens of thousands of households are spiralling further into the cost-of-living abyss thanks to the Albanese Labor government's energy policies. Hundreds of families are going onto hardship payments with energy providers each week. I understand there is a 59 per cent increase on hardship payments for electricity and a 70 per cent increase for those on hardship payments with gas providers. These are alarming figures. Does the minister admit that a $275 reduction in energy prices, as promised when they came into government, will not be realised by 2025? Will the minister let this place know whether or not the government's $300 rebate for household energy bills is an attempt to hoodwink the Australian public and try to make them forget about their original commitment on energy prices?

There are many factories in my electorate with energy bills up 100 per cent. They are under threat of closing. These are industries that we need for our sovereign capability for our manufacturing future. There is a small business in Lindsay that has had its energy bills more than double to $27,500. Minister, how is the $325 rebate they might receive going to assist small and family businesses in the long run when their energy bills have gone up so much since the Albanese Labor government took office?

The government made an announcement last year regarding the Household Energy Upgrades Fund. Minister, has any of the $1.3 billion of funding gone out the door for the Household Energy Upgrades Fund, and, if yes, how much? The fund was meant to support around 110,000 households to lower their energy bills. Minister, how many households have been supported so far under the fund? Around 60,000 social housing properties were to be upgraded and save one-third of their energy consumption through the upgrades per year. How many social homes have been assisted, Minister, and can the government produce any power bills from these properties that demonstrate they have saved around one-third on their power bills?

Overall, the government's renewables-only energy approach is sending so many families into financial hardship. We need a government that will get more supply into the market right now to ensure cheaper bills for households. We need more gas approved and more gas for domestic consumption in this critical time for Australians. We've seen the Australian Energy Market Operator release its latest Electricity statement of opportunities, which highlighted severe reliability concerns in the domestic energy market.

Minister, as the grid wobbles, will this Albanese Labor government concede that its all-eggs-in-one-basket approach towards specific renewables is not working? Everyday Australians across Western Sydney are struggling with the costs of energy. Our older Australians are worried about paying their next bills turning on the heater at night through this winter. Action must be taken. We need reliable, cheap power now to keep our manufacturers making Aussie-made. We need reliable, cheap power to ensure families can keep the lights on this winter for their kids.

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