Libby Coker (Corangamite, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I know and the Albanese government knows that small business is the engine room of our economy. To boost small business, we've just rolled out two amazing rounds of energy efficiency grants. These are being embraced by small businesses across my electorate of Corangamite, from distilleries to retailers, from farmers to breweries. This grant is helping businesses reduce their energy bills to embrace energy efficiency technology and reduce emissions.

Last week, I visited Jono at Bells Beach Brewing in Torquay to congratulate him on receiving a $23,000 energy efficiency grant. Jono said:

… it's awesome, it means we'll be able to do a feasibility study on pre-heating our water with heat pumps which are a lot more efficient and also use more of our solar power on-site rather than exporting it to the grid. That means we don't have to draw as much energy which will reduce our costs.

It makes absolute sense for small business to take up this opportunity, reducing their energy costs and driving down emissions.

And just this morning, the Minister for Environment and Water made a generation-defining announcement— ticking off Australia's biggest renewable solar energy project ever! This heralds Australia's arrival as a world leader in green energy. It's a win for our environment and a win for reducing energy bills.