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

My question is to the Prime Minister. On 97 occasions before the last election the Prime Minister promised to reduce every Australian's power bill by $275. But the government's own budget papers say that power prices will rise by 10 per cent, and last week the energy regulator said that on 1 July prices will rise by as much as 25 per cent. Prime Minister, how on Earth can power prices rise by 25 per cent but fall by $275?

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

I thank the member for her question and I note that the member voted against energy price relief in this chamber. I note also that if you compare what was predicted to be the price rises in the October budget with our budget papers you'll see that our action in putting price caps on coal and gas energy has made a substantial difference—and that's what the experts all say.

But I'm asked about cheaper energy, and I have seen a proposal for cheaper energy. I can inform the House that I've seen a proposal for free electricity. The member for New England had this to say about nuclear power: 'How about we do this? If you can see it your power is free!' Do you know what I think a lot of your listeners would do? They'd say, 'Paint it red and put it on a hill so I can have a good line of sight to it.' But it wasn't just a one-off, because the member for Hinkler came in and said: 'In my view—and this is just my view—it has to go to a community that supports it.'

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

The member for Deakin will cease interjecting.

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

We know the big problem with them is that they had this policy. I know the Leader of the Opposition has problems with costing policies, but there is a costing here.

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

The Deputy Leader of the Opposition on a point of order?

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

It's on relevance, Mr Speaker. It was a tight question: how can power prices rise by 25 per cent but fall by $275?

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

Order! Resume your seat. The Prime Minister is being relevant regarding power bills and energy prices. I am listening to his answer carefully. The Prime Minister has the call.

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

This quote is a cracker. It's about how things can cost something but apparently be free. In spite of the fact that the Leader of the Opposition doesn't believe in costing policies, here's one. He said: 'Do I think there are communities out there that want a $10 billion facility'—there's a costing for you; $10 billion for a small nuke plant—'and potentially want to get free electricity for everyone who lives in sight of that nuclear reactor?' There you go. It's going to cost $10 billion, but the energy will be free! Why didn't we think of that?

Opposition members interjecting—

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

Order! The Treasurer will cease interjecting and so will the Assistant Treasurer so I can hear from the member for Aston.