Sussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. On election day last year the Prime Minister promised in newspapers around the country that, if elected, he would cut power bills by $275 every year. Prime Minister, power prices are rising rapidly for millions of households and small businesses right now. Can the Prime Minister provide a single example of any family or business who has seen the promised $275 reduction in their power bill?

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

Of course the budget papers show that, under the Energy Price Relief Plan we've put in place, retail electricity price increases in 2023-24 are now expected to be around 25 percentage points smaller and retail gas price increases around 16 percentage points smaller than expected prior to the government's interventions. We partnered with state and territory governments to deliver up to $3 billion of electricity price relief for over five million households and over one million small businesses. Those opposite voted against this plan. They voted against this price relief. The companies involved have all said—to quote Origin Energy's statement to the Stock Exchange—'forward wholesale electricity prices have reduced, and this is expected to have a positive impact on consumer tariffs'. That's what they had to say. Of course those opposite, who apparently are unaware of the Russian illegal invasion of Ukraine and what has happened—

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

The Prime Minister will pause. I will hear from the Manager of Opposition Business.

Paul Fletcher (Bradfield, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Government Services and the Digital Economy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The point of order is on relevance. It was a very specific question—the promised $275 cut to power bills, not what he desperately tried to do later to cover up the fact that he didn't deliver on his promise.

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

The question was about election day promises to cut power bills and about power prices that are rising. The Prime Minister is talking about the cost of energy and prices, so, for the clarity of the House, he is being relevant to the question. I give him the call to continue and to be heard in silence.

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

To quote the Chair of the Australian Energy Regulator, Clare Savage:

… forward base futures prices for electricity initially stabilised during the early part of 2023, and … remain well below levels observed in 2022.

The fact is that what we put in place has been effective, but they voted against it. They voted against price caps when it came to gas and coal energy being generated by New South Wales and Victoria, and they voted against $3 billion of energy price relief. They voted against it.

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

Order! The member for Deakin will cease interjecting.

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

They're for higher prices. We're for being prepared to have government intervention in order to make a difference.

Opposition members interjecting—

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

The member for Banks! There's far too much noise coming from my left, from the front bench. It's been happening all week. If it continues, people won't be warned; they'll just be removed. In question time, I have to hear the questions in silence and also the answers in silence. You've had a pretty good go this week. If it continues, people will just automatically leave. I hope everyone's clear on that.