Trent Zimmerman (North Sydney, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction. As we mark the 70th anniversary of the Snowy Hydro scheme this week, will the minister update the House on how the Morrison government is delivering lower energy prices for consumers across the country? Is the minister aware of any alternative approaches?

Angus Taylor (Hume, Liberal Party, Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the honourable member for his question and I acknowledge his strong commitment to affordable, reliable energy for all Australians while we reach our emission reduction obligations and keep a strong economy. He is right. This week does mark the 70th anniversary of the Snowy Hydro scheme. It is a great time to reflect on that iconic engineering feat and its long history in serving our nation. This week we are also celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Liberal Party. It's important to note that the Snowy scheme is just another incredible achievement of Liberal governments. I have a close personal connection to the Snowy scheme.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Leader of the Opposition on a point of order?

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Ben Chifley was no Tory. Your lot opposed it.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Leader of the Opposition will resume his seat.

Angus Taylor (Hume, Liberal Party, Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have a deep personal connection to the scheme. My grandfather, William Hudson, worked on the scheme as the chief engineer and commissioner throughout the construction. I acknowledge that many others in this House have close personal connections to the scheme, including the member for Sydney, whose father worked on the scheme.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I think it would be better if the minister stuck to the question and dealt with the question he has been asked, and let's leave all the personal relationships out of it for the time being.

Angus Taylor (Hume, Liberal Party, Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The scheme powers more than half a million houses across the east coast of Australia. It's also this government that has committed to the Snowy 2.0 project, which will help to reduce the volatility of electricity prices and reduce the average price of power, as it takes advantage of the low prices during the day and brings down prices at the those peak times, particularly in January and in the evening when the sun goes down. This, combined with other policies, including the default market offer and the retailer reliability obligation, is helping to bring power prices down and put power back into the hands of consumers.

I welcome reports this week that the opposition will now support the government's big-stick legislation to back consumers against the unacceptable and unsustainable practices that the ACCC has highlighted.

On this side we know that, for 75 years, it's been the Liberal Party that has supported lower, more affordable power prices, whilst Labor governments—and the opposition—have supported reckless targets and carbon taxes. Indeed, we've seen them in open hostility in recent days over their energy and carbon policies. Only this side of the House has a plan to deliver affordable, reliable power, meeting our emissions obligations and keeping a strong economy.

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.