Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. During the five-week election campaign the Prime Minister promised to cut energy prices by $275 per year on 97 occasions. Prime Minister, people took you at your word. But since the election, the Prime Minister has never made mention of it again. Australians are hurting, and your government is making the situation worse, not better. Prime Minister, how can Australians trust you and this government when you continue to fail to live up to your word and to your promise?

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

I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. The Leader of the Opposition would know full well what the circumstances are because he came in here in December and voted against energy price relief. He voted against $1½ billion of support on energy policy. The Leader of the Opposition might be confused because those opposite had 22 announcements but did not land one. But over in the other place, they are discussing the safeguard mechanism, which is not only the key to driving down emissions by 43 per cent by 2030 but also the key for investment certainty, the investment certainty that business has been crying out for, the business certainty that is absolutely necessary.

My predecessor, the member for Cook, as Prime Minister in September 2018 said: 'Angus Taylor has one job, get electricity prices down.' That is what he said. The member for Cook is not known for wanting just one job. That will not be in the biographies written about the member for Cook because multiple jobs were given out to all those opposite.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister will return to the question and not refer to matters not included in the question.

Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. The question was very deliberate in its construct. There are families who are hurting, struggling to pay their power bills, and they want a straight answer from the Prime Minister.

Honourable members interjecting—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There is no need for commentary for a point of order. I will get the Prime Minister return to the question regarding the policy he was asked about.

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

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Dixon will cease interjecting.

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

Clare Savage, the chair of the Australian Energy Regulator ,said that the work we put in place last December has already made a substantial difference. Philip Lowe, the RBA governor says the same thing. The figures today on inflation are promising. We would not say it is more than that. We know that people are doing it tough, but inflation is heading in the right direction, which is a positive thing, off its peak. What we need to do is further work. We understand that is the case and that is what my government's focus is.