Pat Conaghan (Cowper, National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My office has been inundated over recent weeks with calls, letters and emails from every facet of my electorate of Cowper on the Mid North Coast by people raising concerns about the increasing cost of living. One of the most poignant examples to come across my desk was from the prominent local businessman from Peter Feros from Dorrigo. If you live in Dorrigo, you'll know Peter and his wife, Lois, and, if you're from the Mid North Coast, you'll know the success story that is the Dorrigo hotel. Peter is concerned that he will need to pass on additional costs to his customers—that is, the increasing electricity costs. Dorrigo is not a town awash with influence. Its residents are hard working and humble, and the average median weekly household income is under $800. Concerned with the increase he has already begun to see in his quarterly bills, Peter engaged an independent electricity broker to find him the best deal. The cheapest tender that was provided was an increase of $25,000 per year. That's $25,000. That's a 59 per cent hike on his current spend. And the primary reason provided for the increase was the closure of Liddell Power Station and the early closure of Eraring Power Station. It wasn't inflation. It wasn't the war in Ukraine. It was the fast-tracked closure of existing power stations. Peter is genuinely concerned—

I note the interjection by the member for Jagajaga, who has suckled on the teat of the ABC, has never been in business and is not concerned about business owners or about how difficult it is for people in business.

Scott Buchholz (Wright, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Point of order, Member for Jagajaga?

Kate Thwaites (Jagajaga, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask him to withdraw his comment.

James Stevens (Sturt, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Jagajaga requires you to withdraw the comment—your reflection on the ABC.

Pat Conaghan (Cowper, National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I withdraw.

James Stevens (Sturt, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It assists the House.

Pat Conaghan (Cowper, National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

How are we allowing the closure of critical power infrastructure without a viable alternative? I understand the desire to reduce our reliance on coal now and in the future, but how are we as a government okay with closing power stations immediately and negatively impacting so many vulnerable people? We're seeing increasing mortgage rates and sky-high inflation. Is this not cutting off our nose to spite our face and reaching for a photo opportunity rather than truly safeguarding our communities, particularly our most vulnerable?

Enough of the woke. It's time to wake up, face reality and provide an actual plan.